'There's no switch': Cameron Munster returns to camp as Billy Slater lifts lid on 'sombre' Maroons mood
Updated . First published at
An emotional Billy Slater says "there is no switch" to help Maroons captain Cameron Munster put his father's death to the side for Wednesday night's State of Origin decider.
Munster left camp on Sunday after he received news that his father, Steven, had died.
Speaking to media on Tuesday morning, Slater confirmed that Munster would rejoin the team for their final training run ahead of game three.
READ MORE: Joey reveals blueprint to let Latrell loose in decider
READ MORE: Demon's admission after being dismantled by Djoker
READ MORE: Selfless captain refuses to break Lara's Test record
An emotional Billy Slater fronts media. Nine
While it remains to be seen if Munster will actually train on Tuesday afternoon, Slater was sure he would suit up for his state on Wednesday.
"There was a fair bit of uncertainty with Mun on Sunday morning when I was sitting in his room, but the one thing he was certain about was that he was playing on Wednesday night. That was one thing he was very firm with," he said.
"He didn't have a lot of answers for a lot of other things, but he gave that one to me pretty straight."
Slater recognised that grief is not something that can be easily controlled or switched off.
Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
"Unfortunately, there's not a switch for this. So, it's not that easy," he said.
Having lost his own father, Ronnie, in January, Slater's personal experience gives him an understanding of what Munster is going through.
"It will be good to see him, I can't wait to give him a hug," he said.
"Like myself, I reckon the lads are looking forward to seeing him and getting around him as well.
"Cam's an inspiration to many people. He's a hero to many in Queensland. I can imagine his dad was his first inspiration and hero.
"So, he'd be hurting right now, and that's why he needs us and his family."
Asked about Munster's demeanour, Slater expressed that there is no sugar-coating the experience of grief.
"Naturally, he's been pretty upset over the last couple of days, but he's been where he needed to be, and that's with his mum and his sister," he said.
"He's spent some time with them, and he's on his way back into camp now.
"He'd be hurting right now and that's why he needs us and his family."
Slater summed up the feeling amongst the Queensland team as "sad and sombre".
"Naturally, they care for Cam. He's a great mate of all of us, and first and foremost, we all feel for him and his family," he said.
"So, tragic circumstances and it's been a real sad and sombre mood over the last couple of days."
Slater's Blues counterpart, Laurie Daley, extended the full support of the NSW camp to Munster under the trying circumstances.
"I really feel genuine emotion for Cameron and his family and what they are going through because it would be very difficult," Daley said on Tuesday.
"I know that he'll have love and support around him from the team and the state, and our team are thinking of him as well.
"A lot of the guys know him. We've got Frank [Ponissi] and Craig [Bellamy] in our squad, who are from Melbourne, and they see Cameron as like a son, and they're doing it tough as well.
"We hope he is OK."
Munster took over the Maroons' captaincy after veteran fullback Daly Cherry-Evans was replaced after game one.