Skipper to get up and running
CAMERON Smith admits he is letting Queensland down and needs to lift for the Origin decider with the Maroons skipper mired in the worst attacking run in 14 years.
Revered as the code’s greatest hooker, Smith has been muzzled by NSW in the first two Origin clashes, making just two runs and eight metres in 160 minutes of action.
In Game One at Suncorp Stadium, Smith, celebrating a milestone as the first player in Origin history to reach 40 games, made one run in Queensland’s 28-4 rout.
In the return bout, Smith was restricted him to just one run for seven metres in Queensland’s epic 18-16 victory at ANZ Stadium.
Now, with injured champion Johnathan Thurston missing, Smith concedes must be more effective out of dummy half in the Suncorp decider.
Smith’s offensive numbers this season are the lowest of his 41-game Origin career. Incredibly, they represent a 90 per cent decrease on his average running metres at club level this season for the Storm.
“I need to do more, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“I haven’t been that happy with my involvement, I want more involvement this game, particularly with our attack.
“It’s much more difficult to get opportunities in Origin. NSW’s defence has been very good in the first two games but I’d like to run the football a bit
more (in the decider). I’m sure that is something ‘Kevvie’ (coach Kevin Walters) will speak to me about.”
In an ominous sign for the Blues, Smith produced his best attacking effort of the season in Melbourne’s Friday night 42-12 drubbing of the Broncos.
The 34-year-old scored a try while registering 13 runs and 111m – his best output in both categories this season and the first time Smith has posted 100-plus metres in 2017.
The inspirational Smith said his creative display against the Broncos was a template for his plan to terrorise NSW.
“In club games this year I have been averaging eight runs a game, whereas in Origin I have been limited,” Smith said.
“It’s a big job for our middle forwards to get over the top of the NSW blokes, but there’s no doubt I need to have more involvement in our offence.”
Maroons centre Michael Morgan said Smith’s potency around the ruck depended on Queensland’s forwards dominating their opposition.
“He plays pretty well even when he thinks it’s bad,” he said.