Munster says combination with Ponga will only get better

Cameron Munster says it's "scary" that the Maroons spine has just scratched the surface and has warned he intends to get "wonder boy" Kalyn Ponga more ball in Origin II in Perth.

Munster was one of Queensland's best in the 18-14 win over NSW at Suncorp Stadium where his strength and evasiveness came to the fore as he ran for 146m.

His combination with halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans looked dangerous at times, as it did with fullback Ponga who ran for 154m without getting in the clear all that many times.

Munster said that was set to ramp up a notch at Optus Stadium on June 23.

"It is really exciting. We didn't get our combinations right at times tonight and it looked a little bit clunky at times. So it is scary to think what we can do when it is not clunky," Munster said in the Maroons dressing sheds.

"We've created a lot of opportunities which was really pleasing. We've just got to get the young fella - the wonder boy - more ball in his hands and he can do anything one-on-one.

"Most of the time he is going to beat the defender first time. So if we can give him as much ball as we can in open space we are going to be in good hands."

Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater often combined on the left-hand side for the Maroons with devastating effect and Munster said he aspired to forge a similar partnership with Ponga.

"If I am half as good as those two blokes, or even one of them, I will be very happy with my career," Munster said.

"They are two immortal players in their positions and I don't know whether there will be anyone like them.

"But I know Ponga has very skilful hands and really good ability to beat that first defender so if I can get him the ball on our left edge most of the time then nine times out of 10 he will pick the right option."

Munster said he saw plenty of Slater in Ponga.

"With his raw talent, yes," he said.

"Bill was at a different stage of his career but Kalyn has that instinct and plays off the cuff and what is in front of him, the same as Bill.

"They are similar players and I am sure when he gets around Bill more [in camp] in the next couple of weeks he will get better again. 

"The world is his oyster."

The Maroons bombed three tries in the first half against NSW to trail 8-0 before fighting back through two exquisite Ponga passes for Corey Oates and Dane Gagai to score either side of a Gagai intercept try.

"I am really excited with the way our boys dug deep in that second half. It was a bit frustrating in that first half after we had a lot of opportunities but just couldn't ice the cake," Munster said.

"That is something that we need to go back to the drawing board and work on.

"It was our defence that won it. We have guys like Daly Cherry-Evans, Kalyn Ponga and Ben Hunt at hooker who can create something out of nothing so we know we have points in us. I missed that tackle [on James Tedesco] in the first half which was crucial and that is something I have to work on."