Andrew Johns delivers grim verdict for Cameron Munster amid NRL star's injury woes

Andrew Johns has provided a concerning update on injured Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster, predicting the playmaker could be set for an extended stint on the sidelines. The five-eighth missed Melbourne's season-opening win against the Penrith Panthers on Friday with a groin injury.

Munster slipped in the shower and aggravated the injury during the club's pre-season trip to Fiji. While it was initially hoped he would be fit to return for the start of the season, he ruled himself out of the opening match, stating he wasn't able to train at 100 per cent.

Following Melbourne's win over the Panthers, Munster revealed the side's medical staff were still unsure of the extent of the issue and that his availability to play is a week-to-week proposition. Munster's update left the NRL icon gravely concerned for the Storm star, stating that he believes his return will be more likely in months not weeks.

The rugby league immortal dealt with a troublesome groin during his playing career at the Knights and says if it isn't dealt with at the time of injury it will linger long-term. "I carried mine for 18 months and if you don't jump on top of it, they will just hang around for months," he told Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.

"They just linger - I had four operations on it. It's very hard to train and you've got to do all this core work. You've got to get the right treatment and you need to get on top of it. When it's bad, you cannot play with it - you've got no power, you can't run.

"If he gets on top of it and he responds, it could be a month … If it doesn't improve, it could be three or four months, we just don't know. This is a real crucial injury not only for the Storm but for Cameron Munster."

Young gun Jonah Pezet stepped into the vacant playmaker role effortlessly in Melbourne's incredible shutout of the Panthers. The Storm stretched their record of winning in the first round of the NRL to 22 years under Craig Bellamy after holding the Panthers scoreless in an 8-0 win. But despite Pezet's instant impact, Melbourne will be hopeful their star playmaker can return in the not-too-distant future.

Cameron Munster's groin injury not a new issue

Munster first had to deal with a groin injury last year, where he admitted that his agility on the field had been compromised. The five-eighth says he is determined to strengthen the muscle so he doesn't do any further damage.

"I finally shook that, but something's come back and I had scans and there's a bit of inflammation in the groin," Munster told reporters last week. "I'm going to try and figure out what I can do around the body to try and strengthen everything up, like the core and glutes."

The Maroons five-eighth hasn't been able to train at full speed since reinjuring his groin in Fiji and declared he won't make his return until he can train at 100 per cent. "I was looking good for the Fiji game and then I slipped in the shower, so it wasn't ideal," Munster told reporters last week.

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"It's a frustrating injury, but I'm doing everything I can to get it right. I tried to do a little bit today (last Monday), but I need to be 80 to 100 per cent to be able to play on Friday. If I'm not right by Tuesday or Wednesday I will pull the pin."

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