Inside Tyrone Munro’s rapid rise… and the early reality check that made him ‘work harder’

After making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs, Tyrone Munro’s life has

“changed a lot,” but his mother still has him clean the dishes every night.

 

The 20-year-old rising sensation, who played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, the New

South Wales Cup, and the NRL in the course of six months in 2023, had a seat

with foxsports.com.au to discuss his incredible climb.

 

Asked about his rookie season, he said, “I never thought I would’ve done that.”

 

“I only intended to play one or maybe two Cup games. All I had to do was go

step by step, adjust, and seize the possibilities that presented themselves.

His trip is all the more amazing considering that he missed six weeks of

action at the beginning of the previous season due to a damaged collarbone.

 

Unfortunately, Munro’s unfortunate run of bad luck continues, as the talented

winger is presently recovering from an ankle injury.

Munro tore ligaments in his ankle during the Rabbitohs’ pre-season camp earlier

this month. He’s expected to miss the trials but will be fully fit by the club’s

historic Round 1 clash with Manly in Las Vegas.

 

The Moree product grew up a mad Rabbitohs fan that idolised Greg Inglis.

Now he’s beginning to experience what it’s like to be in the spotlight.

 

Just minutes before this interview, Munro was approached by a man and his

son asking for a photo and to sign a jersey.

 

“I used to be one of those little kids so it’s a dream come true,” he said when asked about it.

 

Munro may only be three games into what is tipped to be a big career, but

those three games have had a major impact on him.

 

“It’s (life) changed a lot. From playing Cup to NRL your life just changes in a matter of 80 minutes,” he said.

 

Munro made his debut in Round 18 against the Warriors at Go Media

Stadium. He announced himself with a try and try assist.

 

“I just remember being so nervous, I get goosebumps talking about it now,” he said.

 

“I remember when I was about to run on thinking ‘I’m about to play NRL’. It was crazy.

 

“I just had to try and focus on my job. But I remember when I scored my try, that’s when I got a confidence boost.”

The softly-spoken ‘Ty Ty’, as he is affectionately known, also recalled the

moment coach Jason Demetriou broke the news to him — and how he tried to keep it cool around his teammates.

 

“We were all sitting in a group having snacks and he called us over. I thought

‘what’s this going to be about’,” Munro said.

 

“He said ‘make sure you have passports and everything sorted’ and then he said ‘Ty Ty you’re going to make your debut’.

 

“I was shocked at the time, I didn’t know what

to say, I was speechless. I had no

idea. I got pretty upset but I didn’t want to cry in front of the boys, I wanted to play it cool.”

 

The club flew Munro’s mum, aunty and best friend over to New Zealand to watch him achieve a lifelong dream.

 

“I can’t thank the club enough. They got her passport in a matter of two days to

make sure she (mum) was there,” he said.

 

Having his mum there meant the world to Munro.

 

“She’s my everything. She pushed me, she’s done everything for me. She comes to every game, she’s my number one

supporter,” he said with a big smile on his face that showed off his braces.

Munro acknowledged that “when I come home I

still have to clean up and do the

dishes,” so his mother resists the temptation to get carried away by the

excitement around her son’s blossoming career.

 

Munro has gone a long way from the teenager who the Harold Matthews

selections of the Rabbitohs previously passed over.

 

“I believe it was Harold Matthews’ first year… I was playing local football for Botany Rams at the time,” he recalled.

 

“They didn’t choose me. I didn’t train hard or give it any thought. However, I

decided to work for it and handle it professionally after that.

“I have to work harder now.”

 

The methodical approach has been beneficial to him. He is currently vying

for a regular berth on the wing in first grade after helping the Bunnies win the

State Championship and the NSW Cup last year.

 

“Yeah, I’m ready,” he responded when asked if he was prepared for the

demands of playing NRL every week. All I have to do is work out hard and take care of every small thing.