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Bianca Munster has opened up on her footy star husband's challenging rugby league journey - and how he told her he didn't want to play anymore after the infamous 'white powder' scandal.
Cameron Munster, the newly appointed Queensland skipper, is on the cusp of leading his Maroons side to Origin glory.
However, Bianca has lifted the lid on the struggles he has gone through along the way, and how he rediscovered his love for the sport.
Munster, who has been open about his struggles with gambling, alcoholism and anxiety, made headlines in 2021 after he was pictured with a white substance during a heavy drinking session with teammates.
The 30-year-old was fined $130,000, forced to undergo treatment for alcohol and banned from drinking by the club for 12 months.
'It was a really tough time, for not only Cam but our families,' Bianca told News Corp.
Bianca Munster has opened up on her footy star husband's challenging rugby league journey
Cameron Munster came within an inch of being sacked by the Melbourne Storm over his infamous white powder scandal in 2021
'There was a lot of online abuse and hate which went on for a long time - even still to this day.
'There was a moment where it was just the two of us and he said to me he didn’t want to play football anymore and he lost the love for the sport.
'There was a lot of personal reflection and work he put into himself to reignite the fire in his belly to come back bigger and better.
'It took a great deal of support and trust from people who genuinely cared about him and this helped him understand what direction he wanted to go and what he needed to do to get there.
Munster, who has three kids with his wife Bianca, now leads a more settled life.
'A huge factor was also our first son Jaxon being born later that year. Becoming a parent really opens your eyes and changes your whole perspective on life,' she said.
'I saw this effect on Cameron first hand.'
Last month, Munster revealed how the scandal cost him almost $500,000.
Bianca says that her husband copped a lot of abuse following the scandal and still does
The newly appointed Queensland Maroons skipper has bounced back from rock bottom
Munster checked himself into a rehab facility in Brisbane - the very same that Broncos star Ezra Mam attended following his recent controversies.
The month-long stay cost him $80,000 - and the club wasn't helping out with any of the costs.
Munster says that with lost sponsorships, fines and legal bills, the whole affair cost him around half-a-million dollars.
'At the end of the day, the Storm wanted to do the best thing for me and that meant going to where I went,' he told News Corp.
'I agreed to do it.
'I had to change my life.
'In rehab, I learnt who my close friends were.
'You get to the professional stage of rugby league with the limelight and it might not be rock star status, but I started to think I was a rock star.
'I needed to see who my real friends were.
'To be honest, I learnt there wasn't a whole heap there for me. I have a small circle now and it's one of those periods where I had to grow up and I believe I have.
'Looking back, I'm glad I did it. It's been for the better.'
