Sports

Cameron Munster reveals swollen eye caused vision problems in Origin I

Queensland star Cameron Munster admits he was suffering vision problems in his left eye after a head clash in the opening minutes of Wednesday nights Origin game one.

The Melbourne Storm and Maroons five-eighth clashed heads with NSW strongman David Klemmer and was left with a significant swelling on the edge of his left eye which restricted his vision.

Swollen vision: Maroons' Cameron Munster.

Photo: AAP

“Klemmo head-clashed me in the opening five to 10 minutes,” Munster said.

“I had some trouble looking out of my eye at stages there and I cant really make it an excuse but it is something I had problems with at times tonight but that is Origin mate and you just tough through it.

"Hopefully I dont have anything like that in game two.”

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The Maroons struggled to execute their scoring chances in attack, with coach Kevin Walters stating his side lacked “smarts” during the contest.

Munster said his side would bounce back bigger and better in game two.

“I thought we were pretty good in stages — we made some metres and were pretty damaging on both sides,” Munster said.

“Ben Hunt (halfback) had a really good game, same as Michael Morgan and GI [Greg Inglis] looked very dangerous every time he had the ball.

“I just have to try and give GI the ball as much as I can and in some space as well — I will chat with him about where I can get him into more space.

“I was pretty happy with the defence tonight and there was a few moments in attack that I can do better and I will go back to the drawing board and be a little better.”

He said it was no excuse that the Maroons had lost the likes of playmakers Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

“Everyone is going to say we didnt have Smith, didnt have Cronk but those times were eventually going to happen,” Munster said.

“They can't play forever. We know that. We know they are handing the baton over to us young blokes and I thought Andrew McCullough was really good tonight.

"I just need to work with Hunty and McCullough a little more to learn their strengths and how we can get them as much ball as possible.

“Hopefully we can do that for game two.”

The Storm play Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on Sunday and Munster said he still planned to play and would use the next few days to bring down the swelling.

“I will just go back to getting some swelling down with ice and my plan is to play Sunday,” Munster said.

“In the worst case I will just strap it up with some strapping tape and go from there.

“Its pretty big at the moment mate but Ill just get some tape, I pride myself on backing up after origin games and my mum and dad came down for a family weekend on Sunday – it would be a bit rude if I dont put on the Melbourne Storm jersey on Sunday.”

Roy Ward

Roy Ward is a Sports writer for The Age.

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