How Queensland will look without Cronk, JT and Smith
After Cameron Smith’s sudden retirement, Queensland are facing the unenviable task of replacing 101 Origin games worth of experience.
The Australia and Queensland captain announced his immediate retirement from representative rugby league on Tuesday, just three weeks out from the State of Origin series opener.
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The 34-year-old Smith dropped the bombshell news at a Melbourne media conference, saying he’d been thinking about it since last year and “now is the right time for me to finish up”.
“Last year, more than any other year, the Origin series in particular had an effect on me both physically and mentally,” said Smith.
“I couldn’t quite back up after any of those Origin matches and maybe that was a sign there that it was time, because I have always been very proud of my ability to back up.”
Smith’s retirement comes after fellow Queensland mainstays Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston also decided to call it quits form rep footy at the end of 2017.
Smith, Cronk and Thurston are taking a combined 101 Origin games worth of experience with them, passing the torch onto the new brigade.
While most of the spotlight has been on how NSW will line-up for Origin I, the Maroons are also set to unveil a relatively new-look side.
Broncos rake Andrew McCullough is the front-runner for Smith’s No.9 jersey, although the Brisbane hooker has been battling injuries so far in 2018.
Roosters skipper Jake Friend and Cowboys hooker Jake Granville are also options.
Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster have been anointed the frontrunners to take over the playmaking reins from Thurston and Cronk.
Barring any dramatic developments between now and the series opener on June 6, Hunt’s scintillating form at St George Illawarra will see him join Munster in the halves, according to chief selector Gene Miles.
The pair will be given “first crack” at the positions and performances will then dictate whether the Maroons pick and stick, or shuffle through their options.
Hunt’s performances will likely mean Michael Morgan remains in a bench utility role for Queensland, while Munster – who made his Origin debut at the same time as Hunt, in game three last year – is in line to play at five-eighth.
Queensland have a number of headaches – not only in the outside backs where they have a embarrassment of riches – but also up front, where the injured Matt Gillett (neck), Josh McGuire (ankle) and Tim Glasby (thumb) will likely all need to be replaced.
Miles gave a strong hint Gold Coast forward Jai Arrow would be one of the forward pack inclusions.
Darius Boyd, Billy Slater or Greg Inglis are the most likely candidates to take over the captaincy, however Boyd has battled form and fitness at Brisbane this season.
POSSIBLE QUEENSLAND TEAM FOR ORIGIN I
Billy Slater
Darius Boyd/Valentine Holmes
Greg Inglis
Will Chambers
Dane Gagai
Cameron Munster
Ben Hunt
Jarrod Wallace
Andrew McCullough
Dylan Napa
Coen Hess
Josh Papalii
Felise Kaufusi
Michael Morgan
Corey Oates
Matt Scott
Jai Arrow
CAMERON SMITH’S REP CAREER AT A GLANCE
– Queensland’s first-choice hooker ever since being rushed into game three of the 2003 series following injuries to PJ Marsh and Mick Crocker.
– Went on to play a record 42 Origins, feature in a record 26 wins and captain the side 21 times while missing just one game to injury.
– Claimed seven Origin man of the match awards, second only to Wally Lewis (eight).
– Debuted for the Kangaroos in 2006, playing 56 Tests to sit behind only Darren Lockyer (63), captaining the side 33 times and claiming 49 victories.
– Key part of the Maroons side that has won 11 of the last 12 State of Origin series, while also captaining the Kangaroos to two World Cups.
– Crowned Dally M Representative Player of the Year and Wally Lewis Medallist, awarded to Queensland’s player of the Origin series, in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2016.
– Won Rugby League International Federation Player of the Year honours in 2017.
with AAP