Why Walters must drop Munster

Reports have emerged of Cameron Munster's off-field antics leaving him on thin ice with Melbourne's senior players. And if true, then it's a chance for Kevin Walters to show he's a man of his word.

Just a matter of weeks after a boozy bust-up with Kangaroo and Queensland teammate Ben Hunt, an alleged string of off-field incidents have left the premiership winning five-eighth off the mark with players and coaches alike, including Cameron Smith and Craig Bellamy.

Blessed with undoubted sky-high potential, Munster would attract interest from nearly every club in the NRL, though Melbourne has already assured their fans the incumbent Maroon is going nowhere.

"In response to speculation on social media, Melbourne Storm is not releasing or considering releasing, Cameron Munster from his Storm contract" the club tweeted on Wednesday.

Following the rep retirement of Jonathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, Munster has been heavily touted the wear the six jersey after a stellar debut in Game III last year.

But if head coach Kevvie Walters is really a man of his word, then Munster won't be near Queensland's squad this year.

Walters made his position known at the start of his tenure in February, 2016, banning players Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford, Chris Grevsmuhl, Edrick Lee, Dylan Napa and Edrick Lee for missing curfew.

"We're trying to protect the brand of Queensland Rugby League and State of Origin" Walters said at the time.

If Walters wants to protect the brand of the QRL and State of Origin, then Munster shouldn't be allowed to play.

A constant string of off-field incidences, including a drunken squabble with a teammate, isn't something that defines the Queensland Maroon's.

The state has an undoubtedly strong culture, and any hit to that could be ginormous. Especially when it surrounds the man inheriting Jonathan Thurston's number six jersey, formerly worn by Darren Lockyer.

True legends of the game.

While it's just over three months to go until Origin, if the reports are true, then Walters needs to show Queensland that the culture comes first, not the victories.