Cameron Munster's revelation about family amid ugly Wayne Bennett furore
The Storm five-eighth was criticised by the Dolphins coach last year after deciding to stay with Melbourne.
Cameron Munster has revealed he hasn't spoken to Wayne Bennett since an ugly war of words erupted in the wake of his decision to re-sign with the Melbourne Storm, while also lifting the lid on how it affected himself and his family. Bennett and the Dolphins were chasing Munster's signature last year in an attempt to lure a marquee player to the NRL's newest club.
Munster ultimately chose to stay at the Storm, and the Dolphins never got their marquee signing. The Queensland-based side also missed out on big-name players Latrell Mitchell, Kalyn Ponga and Reed Mahoney, but managed to lure a number of mid-range players to the club.
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In the wake of Munster's decision to reject the Dolphins, Bennett hit out at the fact Munster hadn't contacted him personally to inform him. Munster reportedly said no to a four-year, $5.5 million deal with the Dolphins for $1.5 million less at the Storm.
"It's pretty ordinary stuff," Bennett said last year. "I understand about managers and all that and there is a need for him. But what I struggle with is the fact that the players, all the tough conversations that you have to have are missing.
"They don't ring you up and tell you they are not coming. That's a tough phone call none of us want to make. If you want to be a man then you've got to behave like one and (not) have your manager ring up and tell (us) you're not coming."
In an interview with Storm legend and Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater this week, Munster said he still hasn't contacted Bennett and hasn't spoke to him at all. “It’s still an open wound, still fresh for not only him but the Dolphins in general. I’m sure they will beat it up in whatever round we have the Dolphins this year," Munster said.
“It was a decision I made. I will stand by it. No regrets whatsoever. It would have been nice to be a foundation player, but it is something I have to live with, I will do that and (I knew) whatever team I play for I will do everything I can to make it a good one.”
Despite saying he had no regrets, Munster admitted it was difficult for him and his young family to reject the extra $1.5 million. “It was (a hard decision). It was hard for my family," he added. “Obviously the money that was being thrown around, I don’t think I will ever make that money ever again.”
Cameron Munster lifts lid on 'animosity' with Wayne Bennett
Munster previously revealed that it was his manager's request that he not contact Bennett directly. “I asked my manager if it was an alright decision to call (Bennett) before (the news) leaked, before I jumped on a plane (for the World Cup),” he said last year.
“And he said ‘Nah, wait until it has leaked’. And by the time that all came about, I was already in the UK (for the World Cup).
“I did have the right intentions to ring him straight after I landed but, after seeing the comments that he came out with, I felt like it was pretty disappointing, and I had a little bit of animosity towards it. That’s one of the reasons why I have decided not to ring him.
“I had every right and every respect to ring him, and I should have. But I just didn’t like the way they went about it.”
Munster played on with a bone sticking out of his finger to help the Storm beat the Eels in the NRL season opener on Thursday night. The five-eighth went off the field with a compound dislocation in the first half, but returned and played the entire second half.
"I was a bit surprised when I saw (the bone) come out. I have never seen a bone come out before," he said after the 16-12 win, which extended coach Craig Bellamy's 21-year undefeated streak in round one games.
"I felt my finger numb when I got out of that tackle against Gutho and I thought that doesn't feel right. I looked down and there was a bit of bone sticking out. Shock hit and I didn't really have much emotion.
"I got off and the doc said I have to put a needle in to numb it up. I'd much rather let it sit there. I hate needles."
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