Jonah Pezet, Cameron Munster succession at Melbourne Storm, NSW Blues vs Queensland Maroons
2 min read
The Melbourne succession plan for Cameron Munster just became a whole lot clearer.
Teenage playmaker Jonah Pezet has tongues wagging in the rugby league world after a starring performance in the under 19s men’s State of Origin game at Leichhardt Oval.
The 19-year-old had four try assists and was named man of the match as he steered New South Wales to a thumping 32-4 victory over Queensland.
AS IT HAPPENED: Blues score big wins in both under 19 Origin games
READ MORE: Representative Round team lists
ULTIMATE GUIDE: State of Origin Game II
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Women’s State of Origin
The Storm snatched him from the Hunter region and have been quietly moulding him into Craig Bellamy’s next key playmaker, potentially as a direct replacement for the current superstar five-eighth.
Munster is contracted to Melbourne for next season but he’s locked in a stalemate with the club, after being offered a severely reduced salary after 2023.
Rumours won’t die about Munster leaving the Storm to join a rival club – most likely the Dolphins and coach Wayne Bennett, who is eagre to get the Origin No.6 to south-east Queensland as early as next season.
In Pezet, it seems the Storm have a talented playmaker who isn’t too far away from making the step up to NRL football.
« He was sensational, » Immortal halfback Andrew Johns said after watching Pezet’s Origin performance.
« He’s got time, looks like he organises the team well, some of his kicks were sensational. But his pass … when he got in a try-scoring situation he found the right pass, which shows he’s not premeditating, thinking about who he’s going to pass to before he passes the ball.
2022 State of Origin: Men’s Under 19 highlights
« He’s watching the defence and reacting to the defence. He sees the game really well. »
Pezet was even compared to Johns by league legend Paul Vautin after the teenager put Blues teammate Jack Bostock over for a try on Thursday night.
He looked like he was going to grubber, but instead put a deft chip over the Queensland winger to find Bostock.
Johns was in awe of that play.
« Looks like he’s going to grubber and out the corner of his eye he watches the winger come in … and then he changes the kick and chips over the top, » Johns said.
« Have a look at that for touch. That is class. »
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
