Cameron Munster recalls being told his father died days before Origin decider

Cameron Munster has described the moment he learned his father had died from a sudden heart attack just days before Game III of the 2025 State of Origin series, saying the news left him stunned and scrambling to be with family.

Munster, who had been named Queensland captain for the series decider at Accor Stadium on July 9, told The Howie Games Podcast that he received the call in Maroons camp and immediately left to grieve with relatives. "All I remember is my sister just crying," he said. "And I was thinking... 'far out, who's hurt, someone's in hospital?' And then I just remember my sister saying, 'Dad's died.'"

Munster said he initially could not accept the news and spent time with his mother and sister before returning to Sydney. He described his father as someone who "lived life on his own terms" and noted the 58-year-old's diet "wasn't great." Munster said the grief made the decision to return to camp difficult but added that the support he and his family received helped.

Coach Billy Slater and assistant Nate Myles arranged for Munster's mother and sister to join the squad, Munster said, and players and staff welcomed them into camp and onto the training ground. He also paid tribute to several New South Wales Blues players who reached out to offer condolences in the days leading up to the decider.

"They dropped what they had to do for such a high-stakes game," Munster said, calling the messages overwhelming and indicative of the rugby league community's solidarity.

After rejoining the Maroons, Munster captained Queensland as the team took command of the match, moving into a 20-0 lead by halftime and silencing a crowd of more than 80,000 at Accor Stadium. The Maroons went on to win the decider by 12 points.

Munster's account places the personal loss against the high-pressure environment of representative football, underscoring the off-field human moments that can shape on-field performances. The club and state-level arrangements to support Munster's family reflect common practice in elite sport, where teams often provide travel and welfare assistance during personal crises.

Munster's decision to return and lead the side was met with public attention, with observers noting the way Queensland players rallied around their captain. The episode has been cited by teammates and commentators as an example of the role personal motivation can play in representative fixtures.

He spoke about the episode on The Howie Games Podcast and gave credit to teammates, coaching staff and opposition players for their conduct in the aftermath. The Maroons' victory completed a tense series and remains one of the defining moments of the 2025 Origin campaign.