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Sport
Jasper Bruce

Munster injury not a distraction for Manly

Melbourne's Cameron Munster has been named to face Manly despite suffering an injury in Origin. (AAP)

Manly coach Des Hasler says his side won't become preoccupied thinking about the fitness of Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster ahead of the rivals' round 16 clash.

One of the form players of the NRL, Munster suffered a shoulder injury in the second State of Origin game at Perth's Optus Stadium but has been named to face the Sea Eagles on Thursday night.

The Storm have long been known for their "next man up" approach and Hasler expects his side would account for the Queensland Origin star's absence if he was a last-minute withdrawal.

"If I was a betting man, if young Munster doesn't play, I think you'd probably see (Nick) Meaney in the six jersey," he said.

"There's another bloke floating around the back there called (Ryan) Papenhuyzen and he might be a bit handy at the back.

"They're not sitting second on the table because they can't handle adversity. They're very well prepared."

The 10th-placed Sea Eagles could finish the round in the top eight for the first time in two months with a win, but a loss could push them down to 11th.

"We know what these games are," Hasler said.

"The last month of football, we've probably been a bit inconsistent but we're getting better."

Hasler said his side wouldn't be haunted by their last performance when they took to 4 Pines Park to face the Storm.

In round 15, Manly led North Queensland 26-12 with eight minutes to play but conceded three late tries and ultimately lost 28-26.

"That was a really hard learning experience," Hasler said.

"We're a young side. I recognise that. Some players have only played a handful of games."

"For 72 minutes, we had that side well and truly where we needed them to be. But we've got to find a way to win, it's as simple as that."

Hasler named both Manly's Origin players, Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, in his 17 to face the Storm and confirmed both would line up.

"Both are OK. They're both sore; it was a pretty tough game," he said.

"The travel (back from Perth) is also a factor. But they'll line up again tomorrow."

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