Cameron Munster has been through the wars this year but says his body is in pristine shape ahead of the finals.
Munster was resigned to having hip surgery at the end of the season when he went down in agony in Magic Round with an adductor tendon tear that led to him missing 10 weeks of action.
Now he is fighting fit and ready to shine in the home qualifying final against Cronulla on Saturday afternoon, desperate to ensure this series has a happy ending.
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It was a case of “Doctor Munster” at large when he described the multitude of complaints his poor groin area suffered early in the season.
“I’ve (had) a lot of things going on,” Munster grinned after the 50-12 win over Brisbane
“A torn (hip labrum) and a bone spur. I had osteopubis because of that. I finally tore the (inguinal) ligament. I’ve just had 10 weeks off and the body’s come back mad.
“I don’t feel any pain. I’m just excited to be playing finals and playing like a kid again.”
This week Munster elaborated on what might have been if he had followed through with surgery when he was at his lowest ebb.
“I was pretty frustrated and ready to pretty much tell the doctors just go and do it (surgery) now and have the year off, and pretty much just go for a good pre-season and hopefully have a good year next year,” he said
“So for probably an eight-week period there, I’d had enough. I wasn’t getting any better.
“Then I went away for a week to Fiji and just come back and it felt really good. I was a bit surprised, but I’ve had no issues since.”
Missing an entire State of Origin season for Queensland turned out to be “a blessing in disguise”.
“The last couple of years I have probably been a little bit flat going into the finals, so I’m feeling fresh and ready to go,” he said.
“I know I’ve had the luxury of winning two (premierships) and having that feeling, and we’ve got a great opportunity for this squad to be able to do that.”
The career-best form of half Jahrome Hughes has also allowed Munster to find his mojo without the pressure of needing to be the main man.
“I’ve come back in the team and it’s been one of those times where you’re asking: ‘How do I inject myself and ‘how do I get into it?’
“I’m just in awe of the way he’s (Hughes) playing and I’m just going to inject myself when I can. I’ll probably still need to find that balance.”
The 29-year-old has also had “a couple of crazy days” after his partner Bianca welcomed their third child, daughter Blake.
“(She) was very early, seven weeks early actually, but as long as bub and Bianca are doing well, that’s what matters,” he said.