Cameron Munster appears unlikely to play in Melbourne’s NRL Round 1 showdown with defending premiers Penrith as he struggles to overcome a troublesome groin issue.
His absence would rob the Friday night clash at AAMI Park of a battle between two of the game’s best halves, with Nathan Cleary steering the Panthers as they begin their quest for a fourth straight title.
Munster has been unable to train fully since re-injuring his groin when he slipped in the shower while the Storm were in Fiji for a pre-season clash with Newcastle last month.
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“I was looking good for the Fiji game and then I slipped in the shower so it wasn’t ideal,” Munster told reporters on Monday.
“It’s a frustrating injury but I’m doing everything I can to get it right.
“I tried to do a little bit today 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.”
Munster battled osteitis pubis leading into round one last year, which he said affected his “zip” and, while he was able to overcome that, he felt this current issue was related.
“I finally shook that but something’s come back and I had scans and there’s a bit of inflammation in the groin,” he said.
“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.”
With the Storm gunning for an incredible 22nd straight round-one victory under coach Craig Bellamy, Jonah Pezet is set to wear the No.6 jersey should Munster be ruled out.