36 SPORT MONDAY NOVEMBER 9 2020 Cape fear as star absent Lingering groin injury leaves Game One star racing clock for

CHRIS HONNERY while Phillip Sami trained at something we’re going to have (concussion) Cody Walker – who will re- right centre. to do,” Munster said. and Cam Murray (hamstring) place in the No.6 ’S Origin also remains in “Edrick’s a real good player ruled out this week through in- jersey for the Blues. hero Kurt Capewell remains in doubt as he continues to over- – he’s shown it at the Knights. jury. “They’re similar players,” he doubt for Game 2 after failing come a calf injury. “He’d be really good for us. “Both teams are wounded said. to train in the Maroons’ all-im- A final decision is likely to “We saw on Wednesday but it’s that next man up men- “They both go for the ball. portant Sunday session. be made during the Maroons night how good Phil Sami tality,” Munster said. “Cody’s probably a little Capewell was absent from captain’s run tomorrow but plays. “A lot of young blokes will more elusive than Keary. the full team training session at Queensland star Cameron “He’s very quick and good be getting their crack on Wed- “He doesn’t look like a Cbus Super Stadium and in- Munster remained confident with his feet so he’d be very nesday night and if not, the fol- strong bloke, but I played with stead was put through a fitness in whoever would be picked. handy for us going into the lowing Wednesday. him in the Intrust Cup at East test to assess his injured groin. “We just have to make sure centres.” “It’s a big moment for them Tigers. looks set to (Capewell’s) right for Wednes- The end-of-year series is al- and a big moment for our “The things that he can do, make his Origin debut, if Cap- day and if that means he ready taking its toll on both states.” that you think he can’t do, ewell fails to play, after train- doesn’t train with us at all until states with AJ Brimson (foot), Munster was also cautious that’s what you need to worry Kurt Capewell. ing all morning at right wing captain’s run, then that’s (concussion), of his new opposing number about.” Not ‘worst Maroons’ — Munster CHRIS HONNERY

QUEENSLAND star Camer- on Munster (pictured) has hit back at critics calling this the worst Maroons side in 40 years by declaring the side can only get better from here. Despite being 1-0 up in the series, the Maroons have vowed to be even better than last week’s performance and claim the Origin shield in Syd- ney on Wednesday night, put- ting to bed any question over this year’s Queensland squad. It came after reports south of the border labelled this year’s Ma- roons side the Moeaki Fotuaika during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at Pizzey Park. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images worst side in Origin his- tory – despite Queensland beating New SELFLESS FOTUAIKA PLAYS FOR PASSION South Wales 18-14. TRAVIS MEYN when Mosese tragically took his own “He was a bit of a bully to me Titans’ player-of-the-year in 2019. He Munster labelled the ac- life, aged 20. (laughs),” Fotuaika said. was runner-up to Brian Kelly for the cusation as “disrespectful” and MOEAKI Fotuaika doesn’t play rugby The death of Mosese sent “He was six years older and would same award this year. fired a warning shot to the league for himself. shockwaves through the NRL and the bully me around in the background. Fotuaika’s rise in 55 NRL games Blues by admitting they can There isn’t a selfish bone in the tight knit Fotuaika family, which Same with my other older brother. caught the eye of Maroons selectors play much better than they did hard-hitting body of this 20-year-old includes nine siblings split across “It made me stand up and stand my and he will make his Origin debut a in Game 1. rising star of the NRL. and New Zealand. ground when I’m on the field. few days shy of his 21st birthday (next “That’s a bit of disrespect When Fotuaika runs on to ANZ Moeaki was 13 at the time and “He played league and made a lot Monday), a milestone Mosese was from them,” Munster said of Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday could not understand why Mosese of rep footy teams coming through only weeks away from reaching when the report. night wearing a Queensland State of was gone. He cried for days. The pain the junior grades. Watching him he died. “We can be heaps better. Origin jersey for the first time he will was excruciating. definitely motivated me to get up “I will grab it with both hands and “As you can tell, there was a not be alone. But the heartbreak lit a fire inside there and play in the NRL. do my best,” Fotuaika said. lot of frantic stuff in the first “If I get out there, he will definitely this quietly-spoken man. Since that “I think he would have been better “I’m trying to enjoy the experience half. be with me,” Fotuaika told News Corp. day, Fotuaika has played for the than me, but things panned out and learn from the senior boys that “Our good ball wasn’t as “Every time I play it is for him as memory of his brother. differently.” have been here for a while. good as we wanted it to be. well as my family.” Fotuaika followed in Mosese’s You will struggle to find a more “I’m the fourth youngest out of “We need to be better than Fotuaika is referring to his older footsteps, attending Keebra Park and popular player at the Titans and Camp nine. There are five sisters and four we were last week because if brother, Mosese. rising through the ranks to secure an Maroon than Fotuaika. brothers. we aren’t, it’s going to be the Mosese Fotuaika was himself one NRL contract at the , He says little, but it is the way “When I told them the news they same as last year.” of league’s brightest talents, a debuting in 2018. Fotuaika conducts himself on and off were stoked. They told me to enjoy it. The Maroons five-eighth graduate of Keebra Park on the Gold Growing up in New Zealand, the field that has made him one of the It’s an honour to be here.” had cast his eye back to last Coast and a ’ under-20s Mosese and Moeaki were separated most adored players at the club. Fotuaika will come off the bench year, where Queensland won premiership and NRL-contracted by six years but the elder brother left Despite being a teenager and into the front row furnace as the the series opener 18-14 before player. an indelible mark which can be seen carrying painful wrist and knee Maroons attempt to wrap up their being humiliated in Perth 38-6 That was until February 2013, every time Moeaki takes the field. injuries, Fotuaika was crowned the first series win since 2017. in Game 2.

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