Capras to Queensland: making stars of Munster and Glasby

Cameron Munster has been copping sprays from coaches - but learning from them – since he started playing first grade rugby league.

On the eve of the CQ Capras 500th game in the Intrust Super Cup competition; the Melbourne Storm, Maroons and Australian player recalled how some ‘helpful advice’ from his former CQ Capras coach John Harbin had stuck with him.

“My fondest memory of playing at the CQ Capras was (when) John Harbin was the coach and at that time, we were all about players and staff taking stuff off the bus, (and it) being my first game, I wasn’t too aware of the rules, so I decided to walk off the bus without taking any equipment,” Munster said.

“And I know after the game, I got an absolute spray from John who said ‘if you keep going the way you are going mate, you won’t have much to do with the game’; and that was a really big reset button for me.

“I guess that is something that always sticks in my mind ... no one is better than the rules.”

Munster made two appearances for the Capras in 2012 under Harbin before lighting up the competition the following season with 22 games that included 12 tries and 11 goals.

He was as a skinny 18-year-old when 2013 season coach Jason Hetherington brought him into the team to fill in as fullback and he ended the season by taking home the Carbine Club Rookie of the Year gong at the QRL’s Gala Awards night.

Munster wasn’t destined to be in the Intrust Super Cup long; signing up with the Melbourne Storm following his breakout season.

In 2014; he split his time between the Storm’s NYC side and their feeder club Easts Tigers – and made his NRL debut (and sole appearance for the team) in Round 14 against the Cowboys.

While Munster was one Rockhampton-based player who impressed with his flair, another Origin-bound Capras product was winning admirers for his effort and dedication.

This author would often speak to Tim Glasby (who played with the CQ Comets / CQ Capras during the 2010 to 2012 seasons) on a Monday during his lunch break at his financial planning job to get the captain’s thoughts on the weekend’s game.

Glasby, who spent a three-year stint with Penrith after school, returned to his hometown after an NRL contract did not eventuate.

A promising youngster who came through the Norths Knights; the current Newcastle forward who made his NRL debut with the Storm has shared in numerous interviews, that at the time, he was happy just to be playing footy and working hard at his day job.

"I loved that sort of life and loved what I was doing at the Capras, it was good fun.”

After being recalled into the Maroons team last year; Glasby shared that in the early days of his rugby league career – he never envisaged that he would have the opportunity to play in a Queensland jersey.

“Particularly when I was at the Capras, I was just happy to be doing what I was doing there, and I was working,” Glasby said.

“... I was never expecting to be playing for Queensland that's for sure.”

In all, the CQ Capras have seen several future NRL players pass through their ranks in their 499-game existence – including a number of Origin players.

Some of these Queensland Maroons players in addition to Munster and Glasby include more recent Origin selections Ben Hunt (2010-2011) and Corey Oates (2014-2015 + many junior representatives games).

Some FOGS of past eras also include Steve Bell (1996-1997), PJ Marsh (1998 + 2008-2009), Casey McGuire (1999) and Dave Taylor (2008-2009 + 2018-2019).

The CQ Capras play game 500 in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup tomorrow night against the PNG Hunters at McIndoe Oval, Emerald.