Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster believes his halves pairing with Jahrome Hughes can prosper this season and cause plenty of headaches for opposition defences.
Munster was in good touch during the 22-14 pre-season victory over the Cowboys on Saturday night, with the Queenslander setting up three tries in an impressive individual showing just a fortnight out from the start of the new campaign.
One of those four-pointers was a cross-field kick for Hughes and Munster expects their combination to provide plenty of scoring opportunities throughout the season.
"We have got the best hooker in the game [skipper Cameron Smith] giving us the pill when we need it and that makes our job a lot easier," Munster said.
"If Jahrome and I can connect a bit more and get the ball in our hands I feel we are going to create a lot of opportunities."
Match Highlights: Storm v Cowboys
Munster played alongside Brodie Croft for much of 2019, but a late-season tactical switch from Craig Bellamy meant Hughes moved to halfback to accommodate young gun Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback.
The off-season departure of Croft to the Broncos has given Hughes the first opportunity to lock down the No.7 jersey.
"We have been practising a fair bit with our structure and making sure we have it padded down [for the start of the season]," Munster said.
"A lot of teams can know what we are doing but they still have to stop it."
The Storm announced RedZed Lending Solutions as their new jersey sponsor for at least the next two seasons at the club’s family day at Federation Square in Melbourne on Sunday, while a new-look leadership group was also announced to sit under Smith when he leads the Storm for a 15th consecutive season.
Munster and reserve hooker Brandon Smith were among the notable players promoted to the emerging leaders group.
"It is promising for myself," Munster said.
"It’s a bit scary knowing I am getting towards 26 years of age and I am the middle man between the young blokes and the older blokes.
"But everyone gets old, so I just have to embrace it."
Despite the added responsibility, Munster said he would continue to let his sense of humour show and that included any off-field antics with Bellamy and his fellow players.
"I am going to keep pranking him [Bellamy] until he decides to retire," Munster said.
Storm's front men
Leadership group
Cameron Smith (captain), Jesse Bromwich (vice-captain), Dale Finucane (vice-captain), Kenny Bromwich, Sandor Earl.
Emerging leaders
Brandon Smith, Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes, Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi, Tui Kamikamica.
