Origin debut for Cam Smith 2
QUEENSLAND has unearthed the next Cameron Smith, with the Maroons to unleash Broncos hooking sensation Blake Mozer in Thursday night’s under-19s showdown with the Blues.
The 18-year-old is rated one of the hottest young prospects in Queensland rugby league and will showcase his skills when he runs out for the junior Maroons against NSW at Leichhardt Oval.
Former Maroons skipper Smith terrorised NSW for 14 years in the senior Origin arena and Mozer would love nothing more than to walk in the footsteps of the legendary hooker he has idolised since his youngest days.
Such is Mozer’s talent, he was promoted to train with the Broncos’ NRL squad in pre-season while still only 17.
Since November, Mozer has celebrated his 18th birthday, won man-of-the-match honours for Souths Logan in the Mal Meninga Cup grand final and made his Queensland Cup debut a fortnight ago against the PNG Hunters.
Now Mozer is hoping to emulate Smith by bringing down the Blues in the Queensland No.9 jumper.
“It means everything to wear the Queensland jumper,” Mozer said.
“As a kid, I loved watching Origin on a Wednesday night and it’s surreal to think I’m wearing that Maroon jumper against NSW.
“It’s an honour to be in this position.
“There’s thousands of kids who would love to be playing for Queensland so I feel privileged to be in this squad.
“I can’t wait to get out there.”
Like Smith, Mozer is tall for a hooker.
He stands 183cm – the same height as the NRL legend – and plays with the same guile, vision and composure at dummy half that saw Smith become peerless in his craft.
In the Mal Meninga Cup grand final in May, Mozer tore Townsville apart, scoring a try and having a hand in three of Souths Logan’s six other four pointers to spearhead a 38-26 victory.
“Cam Smith has always been my hero,” Mozer said.
“If I had to choose someone from the Broncos, I would say Darren Lockyer, but being a hooker I loved watching Cam Smith.
“I liked the fact he wasn’t the fastest player, but he didn’t have to use speed or strength to get the better of his opponents.
“He just used his brain and his knowledge of the game and that’s how I like to play my footy, I like to out-think the opposition.”
Broncos development boss Simon Scanlan said Mozer, who has bulked up to 87kg after putting on 5kg in the past six months, is a future NRL superstar.
“He is an outstanding young talent, one of the best kids we have ever had come through the academy,” Scanlan said.
“He has a similar physique to Cameron Smith. He is just like Cam.”