IT’S OFFICIAL, SMITH WON’T CHANGE APPROACH
QUEENSLAND skipper Cameron Smith says he has no plans to tone down his approach to officials at next week’s must-win Origin II despite copping flak as “referee Smith” by Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan.
Smith’s perceived influence on match officials again came under scrutiny after Flanagan’s crack at the Melbourne captain following their last round NRL win over the Sharks.
Flanagan later apologised for his “referee Smith” jibe but the Queensland captain laughed it off.
Smith said he wouldn’t be changing anything – although he warned critics he may not be doing it too well based on Melbourne’s poor penalty record this season.
“It’s fairly common these days. I hear it during matches ‘you can penalise Smith, don’t listen to Smith’. I just have a bit of a giggle,” Smith said. “But if I was controlling the referees I am not doing a very good job of it. I have played 13 games this year and we won the penalty count four times.
“I might need to go back to that refereeing school.”
Smith will be reunited with Melbourne fullback Billy Slater and North Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston in a newlook Queensland side.
Slater will play his first Origin since game two 2015 after overcoming two shoulder reconstructions.
“It’s great to see him at this level when a lot of people doubted him,” Smith said.
“I know how much it means to him to play for the Maroons. I am excited about what he will bring to the team and to get that combination going in the spine again.”
However, Smith said the defeat ensured they wouldn’t be relying solely on their old guard to turn it around.
“I wouldn’t say our confidence took a beating. It was a more of a wake-up call.”