Cam aims for new heights
CAMERON Smith is searching for perfection.
Despite a year in which he was near-perfect Smith remains unsatisfied. It is this desire which he says drives him.
Lifting a World Cup trophy aloft on home soil remains the last item on Smith’s rugby league bucket list in what he acknowledges will be his last opportunity to do so.
He will be a step closer to that goal when he leads Australia for their opening World Cup match against England in Melbourne tonight.
The World Cup trophy would cap a dream season for Smith who has already held the premiership trophy and Origin shield aloft while winning the Dally M Medal.
“I would say this has been my most complete year, no doubt,” Smith said.
“You talk about perfection. Can you get a perfect season? I was happy with my consistency this year, the level that I played at each week.
“Why be content with yourself, why can’t you be better? Even if I’m at the back end of my career why can’t I keep getting better?
“If I played the perfect season then you would say ‘Look I can’t achieve any more, I may as well retire’.”
At 34, Smith feels at ease for the first time in his 16-season stint in the top grade.
Smith is already the most capped player in NRL history and tonight he joins the Immortal Clive Churchill with 35 consecutive appearances for the Kangaroos.
“I really couldn’t believe that,” Smith said.
“Geez Clive Churchill is a legend of our game.
‘‘It’s going to be quite a humbling experience to lead the Kangaroos out in front of what is now my home crowd (in Melbourne).”