Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster has been playing with a fractured rib for more than a month as he prepares to take on NSW in the State of Origin series opener.

Speaking after putting on a masterclass in Melbourne's 24-16 win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, the talismanic No.6 spoke about the "rib cartilage and fractured rib" he has been playing through since the 18-8 loss to Manly in round seven.

"I did it when I played against Manly. I fractured my rib at the front and I have just been getting through it," Munster said.

"There's pain in my ribs and back so I have just been jabbing it up. I am not the only bloke in the game who is carrying injury and playing footy. I am sure there are other blokes in contention for Origin who are under-done or a little bit worse for wear.

"Once you put that (Maroons) jersey on, if you get the opportunity to, I am sure (niggles) will all go away and you do the best thing for the state."

Munster remained in Queensland when the Storm flew home to Melbourne on Sunday and will join Maroons camp on Monday. He is also nursing other bumps and bruises after his former Storm teammates belted him in the Dolphins clash.

"There was obviously a little bit of hyper-extension in the elbow after contact with 'Fus' (Felise Kaufusi) and my mate Kenny (Bromwich) out there," Munster said.

"I am in the wars at the moment but if I have done enough to get picked then I will do everything to get myself right."

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Munster would benefit from a break from playing ahead of the May 31 Origin clash in Adelaide with NSW.

"He's had a couple of injuries that don't stop him playing, but I think they affected him earlier," Bellamy said.

"They have been certainly affecting him at training and towards the end of the week if he hasn't done any contact work.

"Going into Origin with this 11 days off will do him the world of good. I think he did a great job (against the Dolphins),.

" I thought he really kept his head when we needed him to keep his head."