Cameron Munster, star five-eighth for the Melbourne Storm, has undergone a noticeable transformation, shedding six kilograms over the off-season, reportedly motivated by a light-hearted comment from his wife, Bianca. The 29-year-old showcased his revitalised form in a sun-soaked match at AAMI Park on Sunday, where the Storm triumphed over Parramatta with an impressive 56-18 victory.
Following the game, Munster spoke about his significant weight loss and how it contributed to his performance. He highlighted the benefits of his rigorous pre-season training, saying, “It’s awesome, 33-degree heat in Melbourne, can’t get any better… It helps when you lose six kilos.” He acknowledged that the weight loss was not solely a result of his coach Craig Bellamy’s suggestion but was spurred on by a playful remark from Bianca, which motivated him to push himself further.
Bellamy noted that while he and Munster had discussed potential improvements, he did not explicitly state that Munster needed to lose weight. However, he mentioned that Bianca might have playfully challenged him, which seems to have ignited Munster’s determination. “I think Bianca might have said… ‘you’ll never do that’, so he got his back up and he did,” Bellamy remarked after the match. The coach affirmed that this lighter frame has enhanced Munster’s fitness, allowing him to be more active on the field, which is vital for the team’s success.
Now entering the 2023 NRL season, Munster is keen to make an impact following a challenging season last year, during which he dealt with a serious groin injury and played only 17 games, contributing to the Storm narrowly missing out on the premiership. He appears to be in a better physical condition now, which, according to Bellamy, has not compromised his strength or speed but has rather allowed him to engage fully in gameplay.
With the Melbourne Storm set to enjoy a bye week before facing off against Penrith in a grand final rematch, Munster’s new-found fitness will be crucial as the team aims to build on their strong opening performance. Fans can expect to see Munster continue to thrive in his rejuvenated state as the season unfolds.