Rugby League

'Back yourself': Attack mode Munster's message to No.7

May 25, 2026

Musnter — Cameron Munster is promising an all-out attacking approach from Queensland's halves in Origin I. -AAP Image

Queensland captain Cameron Munster has warned of the attacking threat he intends to jointly pose with debutant half Sam Walker after his own welcome return to form.

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The Maroons five-eighth was in the best form of his underwhelming season for Melbourne before coming into Queensland camp, inspiring two NRL wins with some trademark Munster magic.

With ultra-attacking Sydney Roosters playmaker Walker by his side, Munster is urging the 24-year-old to play his natural way in the State of Origin series opener in Sydney on Wednesday.

"Back yourself," Munster said when asked of his advice for Walker.

"That is the reason he has been given the opportunity to wear the famous No.7 jersey. We don't want him going out there to be Johnathan Thurston of Cooper Cronk. Go and be Sam Walker."

Restraint is not a word in Munster's vocabulary and he doesn't want it in the Walker lexicon either.

"If it doesn't come off, it doesn't come off. That's rugby league," Munster said.

"I would rather him going out there and giving his all and trying the little tricks he has got in his bag rather than saying at the end of the game, 'I wish I had done this, wish I had done that'.

"He will be given full rein and full keys to the car and hopefully we will see Sammy Walker blossom."

With Walker in the side there was a view that Munster would take a more organisational role. While he will need to do that to some extent, the Maroons veteran indicated he would be playing with an attacking mindset.

His two games leading into camp lit a fire in Munster.

"I know I wasn't up to scratch the way I had been playing previous years and then found some form the last couple of weeks," he said.

"It was probably about me going in and playing more attacking footy than those high percentage plays.

"The way the game is going at the moment you have got to be able to attack. Yes, you have to be able to defend but with the scorelines at the moment you can score 30 and not be comfortable."

Munster did not train with the Queensland team on Sunday due to what he said was "soreness" and age catching up with him.

He will take part in the team's captain's run on Tuesday in Sydney.

The Maroons flew out of their Sunshine Coast base on Monday morning after Munster had given his captain's media conference.