AUSTRALIA star Cameron Munster insists he’s going to keep things simple today to avoid being on the end of a huge World Cup final shock.
The dazzling Melbourne stand-off is one of the sport’s most entertaining and creative players. But he’s planning to play it cool in the Old Trafford decider against massive underdogs Samoa. Queensland State of Origin hero Munster has played in plenty of big games and won two NRL Grand Finals. This is his first World Cup final after missing out on selection for the 2017 victory over England.
But, hoping for a double Aussie celebration with Australia facing New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup final beforehand, Munster said: “I always think for big games, the bigger game the simpler the game plan. Run the ball, tackle hard. You have to do that for the team on Saturday.
“It’s easy when you’ve got blokes around you who are really good, especially with Australia when you have the best of the best playing alongside you. I’m sure all 17 playing to the best of their ability on Saturday will go a long way to us winning the game.”
His battle with Jarome Luai, the Penrith stand-off who’s won three player of the match awards in Samoa’s charge to a maiden World Cup final appearance, will be fascinating. Luai has been known to get under the skin of opponents. Munster hasn’t had many run-ins with him but said: “He comes over now and again and gives a little bit of cheek.
“But he can talk the talk and walk the walk. He’s shown that the last couple of years and now he’s got Samoa to their first ever World Cup final and part of history. He plays really good footy, is really confident and has shown that with back-to-back Premierships at Penrith.”
And plenty of eyes will be on Luai’s Penrith half-back partner Nathan Cleary who’s had a quiet tournament so far for the Green and Golds having ousted previous Kangaroos No7 Daly Cherry-Evans. Munster said: “I think he’s been pretty solid. I know he has high expectations of himself but we’re all team players and when you have the best of the best, at times others will outshine you and you can have an OK game.
“When you look back he’s probably had a really consistent three weeks. But by his standards when he’s playing for Penrith, he’s the heart and soul of that team with structure and organisation. With big teams like us - or Origin - he won’t shine as much as he’d like to. But that’s the footy we play at the moment. And with so many good players inside and outside, anything can happen.”
Munster added: “He’s come out of his shell. He’s talked a little bit more in meetings. He’s started to stamp his authority on the team a little more and had his say. A lot of the boys are listening to him. He’s done a lot in the game for someone so young. We’re all looking forward to Saturday and finishing off what we’ve started.”
