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Queensland Cameron Smith agrees with growing predictions 21-year-old Greg Inglis could be remembered as one of rugby league’s greatest players.
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Smith singled out the Storm star as Queensland’s X factor in Wednesday’s Origin showdown with a NSW outfit desperate to avoid the embarrassment of a third straight series loss.
“I think we’ve got one X factor in a truly great player,” Smith said of the dynamic young centre.
In a scary message to the Blues, Smith warned the gifted Inglis was in a similar frame of mind to when he cut NSW to shreds in Origin II, helping the Maroons keep the series alive.
“I think his mood is very similar to game two,” said Smith, himself on target to become one of the game’s great hookers.
“He’s trained with a lot of intensity and you know when Greg’s right to go, he’s doing that.”
Several former internationals – including Brett Kenny and Gorden Tallis – have spoken glowingly of Inglis’s potential and of the possibility of his retiring as one of the game’s greatest, if not its best player.
“It’s a fair rap but it’s only early days,” said Smith, anticipating another torrid battle with his arch rival Danny Buderus in his last Origin before heading to England.
“Greg’s still a young fella but I guess if he has a go like he did last game in every match he plays, then he could be regarded as one of the best players to ever go around.
“He’s got the talent and potential that everyone always talks about, it’s just being able to produce it every week.
“That’s one thing Greg needs to work on at the moment, his consistency.
“He’s in quite good form at the moment but stringing two good games together doesn’t mean much, you have do that every week to be a great player.”
NSW centre Mark Gasnier, sidelined with injury for the decider, gave Inglis a valuable lesson in the opening Origin clash before Inglis turned the tables with a spectacular game in Brisbane.
Smith said Inglis’s pride was hurt in game one and it brought the best out of him in the return game.
“He was totally outplayed (by Gasnier) and Greg admitted that,” said Smith.
“I think it showed that when Greg wants to play, he can do some pretty special things.
“He’s shown what he can do and we expect that every game now.”
NSW are believed to be planning to swap specialist defensive centre Matt Cooper onto Inglis and Smith said whoever got the job would be in for a “tough night”.
Smith expects rookie Mitchell Pearce to start at halfback despite speculation Blues coach Craig Bellamy will go with Newcastle’s Kurt Gidley to protect the 19-year-old from an early examination from Queensland’s forwards.
“It’s a big game for a young bloke, it’s a decider and he’s making his debut,” said Smith of the son of Balmain legend Wayne Pearce.
“I can’t see Craig (Bellamy) not starting with him.
“He’s a quality player and I know Craig rates him highly.
“His pairing with Braith Anasta at club level won’t change too much at Origin and we’re expecting him to start the game.”
Coach Mal Meninga gave his players a rest today with the Maroons heading to Sydney tomorrow morning to wrap up their preparations with a late training run at ANZ Stadium where they have won just once in 13 attempts.
Roosters forward David Shillington will join the squad tomorrow as 18th man to cover for any late injuries.
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