Smith to play on in Origin
Q U E E N S L A N D s k i p p e r Cameron Smith will suit up for a record 16th Origin campaign after phoning coach Kevin Walters to formally declare he is extending his career in Maroon.
In a huge boost for the Maroons, Walters has confirmed his inspirational skipper is soldiering on for Queensland – just weeks after Smith revealed he could retire from the NRL at season’s end.
During last year’s Origin series, Smith refused to commit to the Maroons for 2018.
Six weeks ago, the champion rake indicated he was leaning towards backing up for Queensland.
Now Smith’s Origin availability is official. The return of Smith, who will play his 43rd Origin game in the series opener at the MCG, represents the worst nightmare for a NSW side buoyed by the representative retirement of Maroons halves Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
Walters said he was rapt to have the services of Origin’s most- capped player as the Maroons look to Smith’s leadership to overcome the loss of 59 games of experience in the Thurston- Cronk alliance.
“Cameron has told me he is available,” said Walters, who joined forces with Smith yesterday in Melbourne to launch this year’s Origin series ahead of Game One on June 6.
“Smitty is available for selection and so is Billy ( Slater, Maroons fullback incumbent), so that’s the direction we are taking.
“I must admit losing JT and Cooper is huge because they are like coaches off the field. They are such a major influence to other, younger members of the Maroons team.
“There hasn’t been a Queensland team in the past 10 years without Thurston or Cronk in it. The ones who are left behind, like Cam, must give me more as leaders.
“That’s the only way we are going to cover for their loss.”
At the NRL’s official season launch last month, Smith was tight- lipped about his Origin and NRL future. The mostcapped player in the code’s 110year history turns 35 in June and is determined to maintain Queensland’s dominance as the last man standing of the Maroons’ Big Three.
“Our goal is to carry on that legacy and try and get those young guys to do that,” Smith said. “I’m still trying to encourage and educate what the Queensland team is about and the people we represent.
“We have lost some great rugby league players. I’d like to think we can do it again without the guys who have retired.”
Walters also revealed Smith would be reunited in the engine room with Cowboys and Maroons prop Matt Scott, who missed last year’s series following a knee reconstruction.