Cameron Munster ready to take Kangaroos goalkicking duties in World Cup final amid Reece Walsh concerns

Cameron Munster doesn’t like goalkicking, but the Kangaroos five-eighth will again put his hand up for the crucial role against New Zealand in Sunday night’s Rugby League World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium if he’s the best option for the job.

With fullback Reece Walsh’s groins not at 100 per cent, Munster has taken shots for goal in Australia’s past two wins.

He kicked five from seven in the Kangaroos’ 66-6 thrashing of the Cook Islands on October 31 before landing six from eight in Australia’s 44-12 semi-final win over Samoa last Sunday.

Munster joked that the key to his good goalkicking record in recent weeks was “not practising”.

“We probably haven’t got a whole heap of goalkickers in our team, so I guess I had to take the kicking duties,” he said in reference to more recognised kickers Sam Walker and Latrell Mitchell only being part of a six-man bench.

“To be completely honest, I don’t really like goalkicking. Reece is our No.1 one kicker, so if he feels good enough to do it on Sunday, he’ll take over.

“If he pulls up a little bit lame after (Saturday’s) Captain’s Run with his groins, I’ll probably take over.”

Munster, 32, said his willingness to kick for goal came with experience after believing having the role at Melbourne Storm for different periods earlier in his career “took away” from his “footy ability”.

“The older you get, sometimes you want to take those responsibilities,” he said.

“When we do get the opportunity to take two points at certain stages of the (final), you’ve got to make sure you ice them.

“When (New Zealand) has got guys like Jamayne Isaako and Kalyn Ponga, you know they’ve got some good arsenals in their team to be able to kick goals.

“You want to make sure you’re definitely on with the boot, so that’ll be something that we’ll be focusing on, but if we focus on only our goalkicking, I can guarantee we won’t be winning the game on Sunday.”

Munster’s overall form seems to be peaking at the right team after he delivered for the Kangaroos in their 32-point disposal of Samoa.

“Sometimes things don’t go your way, or they do go your way in certain games, and sometimes you get your flowers from it,” he said.

“When I am playing my best, it is when I’m running the ball, and that’s the mindset and the aim for myself on Sunday.

“I’m sure they (New Zealand) have got a plan around myself, and I’m sure I’ll have to try to figure out a way to get around it.”

Speculation continues about Munster’s club future. His Storm contract expires at the end of next season, and he has been linked with a move to NRL expansion club Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028.

However, he insists he’s solely focused on helping the Kangaroos when the World Cup.

“My manager’s dealing with all that (club) stuff. That’s all I’ve got to say,” he said.“I’ll just talk about the World Cup. Everyone’s worrying about everyone’s position, but it’s all good and well to worry about NRL teams or where you want to go next year, but we’re missing the purpose of being at a World Cup and getting it done.”