In-form halves Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden are set to play in the same Queensland for the first time, with Munster hoping it will be the start of a successful combination into the future.
Dearden deputised for an injured Munster as five-eighth alongside captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans last year, a role he also filled in his debut in Game Three, 2022, when the Storm star was ruled out with COVID.
Munster had both his hips operated on in the off-season and has rediscovered his dazzling best with the Storm, free from the persistent injuries, including the tear in his adductor tendon that forced him to miss last year’s Origin series.
With both Munster and Dearden performing well for their clubs so far, coach Billy Slater has found a way to fit all three halves into his side for the opening game at Suncorp Stadium.
Munster will once again pair with his skipper in the halves with Cowboys co-captain Dearden to come off the bench in No.14, much like Cooper Cronk, Ben Hunt and Cherry-Evans before him.
“He's been playing some outstanding footy, Tommy, he deserves his spot, he probably deserves the 6 too,” Munster told NRL.com.
“But at the end of the day, that's the team they've picked, and he's been probably one of the best players for Queensland in the last couple of years, and he would never let Queensland down. That's what you love about him.
“He's always such a competitor, and he's been doing that for Cowboys for the last couple of years as well.
“I'm really excited to get him in the camp and hopefully build a combination with him.
“You never know, it could be me and him next year if Chez (Cherry-Evans) doesn't go around again, so hopefully we can build those combinations for myself and Tommy and Chez.
“You never know if one of us go down or there’s an injury or maybe out of form and someone doesn't get in there.
“Just going to try and cherish this moment and hopefully cement my spot in this series and hopefully keep the jersey.”
While not accustomed to coming from the bench, Dearden said Slater had told him to be prepared to play anywhere and he said that was something he was comfortable in doing.
“To just be involved in camp and in the squad… it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s just exciting to be able to play for Queensland and put that jersey on again,” Dearden said.
“I think this role will be a bit different this year. It’s about preparing to play pretty well anywhere, wherever I’m needed for the team.
“To come on at any time, to play anywhere. That’s the role that that jersey is, is being prepared to play whatever role the team may need.
“I have to be prepared to play anywhere.
“I think playing that role, when you get out there, you’ve just got to get your game on.
“The most important thing is wherever I come on, or whatever happens, is making sure that I try and impact the game in some way.
“I think it’s a great squad. You have so much trust in the side that Billy pulls together; it looks like a great Queensland side. Very excited to be part of it.”
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
