COVENTRY – Cameron Munster has washed his hands of the Kangaroos’ great halfback debate, declaring that he is happy to play with either Nathan Cleary or Daly Cherry-Evans, but that coach Mal Meninga would have to decide quickly so the spine can build combinations ahead of the knockout stages.
Pushed on who he would prefer, Munster laughed it off, telling media “When you start asking me for opinions, you know you’re going backwards!
“They’re both quality halves, DCE and Nath, so I’d hate to be a selector or Mal at the moment. A lot of the players are putting their hand up and playing some good footy.
“It’ll be interesting to see where Mal goes and whatever he decides I’ll jump on the back of and keep playing the consistent footy I have been.
“Mal is going to have to sit down with us as a spine and decide pretty quickly who he wants to go with. We have Italy next week but we’re looking further into the tournament we need to make sure we’ve got that spine cemented when we play the bigger games.
“They’re both professional players, they’ll understand which way Mal wants to go. There’ll be a little bit of disappointment in one of those guys heads for sure because everyone wants to play for Australia, especially in the World Cup. I’d be disappointed if I was one of those guys.”
Munster plays alongside Cherry-Evans at Origin level, but had never took to the field alongside Cleary prior to the Panthers halfback making his international debut in the 84-0 win over Scotland in Coventry.
Cleary managed 28 points – two off the record set by Andrew Johns for most points on debut – and clearly impressed his halves partner.
“I let him do his thing,” he said. “He’s done a lot at NRL and Origin level where he’s led the team around. I feel like I can do both, play with structure or play ad-lib off the back of it. I let him do his thing. He had 3 try assists and a try in the first 30 minutes so not a bad game.
“I was taking a backseat, watching him do things and thinking, jeez, I better do something! When you play for Australia, it’s the best of the best and sometimes you’re not going to have the impact you want because the players around you are playing such good footy.
“For me personally, the way Nath plays, he’s good with structure and organising. I thought if I let him do his thing, it would be a lot more comfortable coming into his game.
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“If I took more of an ownership role I thought he’d be more hesitant, so I let him do what he does and inject myself when I need to. We gelled well tonight. Things went our way at times, but we were pretty willing in defence and obviously we have a lot of strike around the edges.”
If the pair are to gel on the field, they’ll get plenty of chance to prepare: the Kangaroos are taking a mini-break in Scotland and Munster will be sharing his space with Cleary for the trip.
“I’m trying to give him a bit of stick to warm him up a little bit,” joked Munster. “We’re actually rooming together in the next couple of days playing golf on a little trip, so I’ll get him out of his shell.
“He’s a very calm, collected kid and nothing gets under his skin but I’ll see what I can do!”
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Her name is Daisy Duke? No honey why would I know that?
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I was talking about a season, not the final series and certainly not about a specific game :thumbup:
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
At the end of the day, Cleary has been a far better player over the last two years, and 100% deserves to be halfback. For me, the incumbency argument is asinine and shouldn't count one jot. Sure, DCE used to be the Australian halfback. So what? Cleary has been a better player - why should the best halfback available miss out just because the second-best played for Australia two years ago? The same goes for SOO and the ridiculous amount of players that made it into the squads this year based on incumbency rather than form.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Some games ? Of the 22 he played he earns a 32% winning average for the season. Roughly 40% for the last 3 years. Nathan had over 90% last year and around 92% for the last 3 years. If you blame him for the losses then you need to credit him with the wins. Anyway, whoever gets the 7 gets the 7..
chris
Guest
DCE’s rep team lost against Tonga. That was for Australia, so that doesn’t count?
Chris
Guest
So you base how well a player is playing, on 1-3 games? Not over the whole season. I would say that the toughest thing to win is the regular competition. With that Cleary wins hands down. DCE also went missing when Manly lost some games that seemed impossible to lose.
EastOfDivide
Guest
If anything was based on that Tongan loss. Munster would never have been picked again. He ran in ever decreasing circles & kept handing the possession over to Tonga.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I have no personal opinion of Hayne except that those two seasons are as good as the best from anyone. Slater, both Smith's, Locky, Barba and GI. Anyway your opinion is set so :thumbup:
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Hayne in 2009 final series was way over-hyped. Slater was as good if not better. In the first semi-final against Manly, Slater scored 4 tries, but it hardly got a mention. I never liked Hayne - a show pony and selfish player, IMO.
Albo
Roar Rookie
As if Munster even cares ? He will just do his own thing irrespective of who is his halves partner. They just need to get out of his road !
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
2009 and 2014 Hayne. Obviously no leeway given but that's fine :thumbup:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Well, more like her or the younger version who just moved in across the street. The one who washed her car on Satdee arv out in the drive. What??!! No, I didn't even notice, I was just checking if our front windows need a clean.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Slater was always a better player than those other guys, especially the over-hyped Hayne. As the captain of the premiership winning team of the last two years, Cleary is obviously the best half available, and should be in the Australian side. One thing you can be sure of is the opposition would rather face DCE than Cleary.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Because success is built on stability, there are times when Hayne, Stewart, Bowen and Barba were probably playing better footy than Slater. JT and Locky both had patches (and before everyone jumps in read my posts above) where either due to injury or form they were down a bit. My point is that if we define selection by form alone then we have a revolving door team. I think that Cleary is a better 7 than DCE
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Mike, I believe Nathan has a 100% record when playing for Australia. Does the win loss record for DCE when he reps Australia count ? Nope didnt think so
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Why ask Munster though? It's a loaded question. It's like answering your wife whether you prefer her or your ex.
Mike
Guest
DCE's rep team won, Cleary's lost when he went MIA.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Why do you value someone not having done anything to lose the spot over someone who has done plenty to gain it? DCE's team couldn't even make the top eight this year. Cleary's team has won two comps in a row.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I suppose that's the thing, DCE hasn't done anything to lose it. Nathan should be the 7 but I'm happy with DCE there :thumbup: