Storm coach Craig Bellamy has revealed a sledge from Cameron Munster’s wife is behind the star five-eighth’s lean new build for the 2025 season.
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Munster, who was limited to 17 games last season due to a groin injury, lost six kilograms over the summer and his new physique was on full display in the season opener as he tore Parramatta to shreds on Sunday.
The 30-year-old had hip surgery over the off-season but was at his devastating best against the Eels, setting up three tries and having a hand in another three.
Now Bellamy has revealed it was Munster’s wife Bianca whose sledge could have Melbourne primed for their first premiership in five years.
“We had a bit of a chat about a couple of things but I certainly didn’t say to him ‘you need to lose some weight’. His partner Bianca might have thrown something (his way) there,” Bellamy said.
“I’m not quite sure if this is right but I think Bianca might have said… like he said his plan was to lose weight and Bianca said ‘you’ll never do that’ so he got his back up and he did.
“I think it’s really helped him. He’s a lot fitter and able to get involved and the more he’s involved the better we’re going to be.
“I thought he was one of our best players today. He’s been fully invested in the pre-season, he’s just a bit lighter. I don’t think he’s lost any strength and certainly not any speed, he hasn’t got a lot of that to lose anyway.
“He just took the game on a whole heap today and I just think that’s when he’s playing his best footy and losing a couple of kilos has really helped him do that.”
Munster told Channel 9 after the game that he was feeling his fittest in years.
“It helps when you lose six kilos… it’s been good, I had a really good pre-season and I’m very happy we go the win tonight,” Munster said.
“I had some great touches but I would have loved to have iced a couple more moments.”
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Meanwhile, it was also the Ryan Papenhuyzen of old on show in the record-breaking 56-18 win over the Eels.
Papenhuyzen found his feet with 20 games last season after a string of injury setbacks and was a solid contributor in a side that made it through to the grand final.
But the 26-year-old’s performance against Parramatta was as good as he has produced in some time, as Storm made it 23 straight victories in round one games.
Papenhuyzen was particularly devastating in the opening 40 minutes with two tries as the club broke its first-half points record with 46, eclipsing the 40 they scored in the first half of the grand final rematch against the Dragons at the MCG in 2000.
“That first half, that’s probably the quickest and most slick he’s looked since he’s come back,” Bellamy said.
“He’s had a horrific run of injuries, they haven’t been just like two or three weekers, they’ve been three or four months.
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“To come back how he has just goes to show the amount of work he’s willing to put in and I suppose his patience as well.
“His first half there this afternoon was outstanding.
“I’m sure he’ll only get a bit better from here and hopefully fingers crossed he’ll have a good injury run.”
Young centre Jack Howarth looks set for a massive season after a game-best 242 run metres, including seven tackle breaks.
“He’s always been a very talented athlete, big, strong and quick,” Bellamy said.
“Without doubt, this has been his best pre-season.
“He came ready right at the start to put some hard work in.
“I think he had more metres than anyone else in our team and he had 17 runs, so that’s a high amount for a centre.
“He was really hard to handle out there today.”
– with Lance Jenkinson
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