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The captain of Australia’s most celebrated Kangaroos side Max Krilich has compared Queensland hooker Cameron Smith to some of the game’s greats.
Smith, who will play his 250th NRL game for Melbourne this weekend, has been instrumental in Queensland’s record seven straight State of Origin series wins since 2006.
His duel with NSW hooker Robbie Farah will be a huge factor in deciding which state goes one up in the Origin series.
Maroons coach and former Queensland icon Mal Meninga acknowledged his captain’s game had gone to “another stratosphere”, while Krilich could only put Balmain hooker Ben Elias ahead of Smith for toughness.
“Benny used to get the s*** bashed out of him, he’d get absolutely hammered but he’d always jump back up. I used to call him Bouncing Benny,” Krilich told AAP.
“The game’s probably not as rough and tough now but Cameron cops it and always bounces back.”
Krilich said what made Smith so good, apart from his toughness, was he had more ability to attack than most other players.
“It’s like giving the ball to Bob Fulton, Wally Lewis or Andrew Johns – they were better than their opposition,” he said.
“…He’s not just tough. He can run, pass or kick. He can draw in defenders jumping out of dummy-half. He’s got the whole package.”
Krilich played 215 first grade games and won two premierships with Manly in 1976 and 1978.
He played five Origin matches and represented Australia on 13 occasions, retiring with the distinction of having captained the unbeaten 1982 Invincibles.
He said Elias’s arch rival, Steve Walters, was the best Queensland rake until Smith came along.
“Those three guys were all tough, that goes a long way,” said Krilich, a fierce competitor himself.
“In the old days you had to be tough to handle what was dished out (in interstate clashes).
“The game’s different now but Smith still cops plenty.”
Smith, who has missed just one of Queensland’s 21 games during their seven-series burst, assumed the Queensland and Australia captaincy from Darren Lockyer last year and made it a landmark season.
He led Queensland to a thrilling Origin series win, captured the NRL premiership with Melbourne, took Australia to victory over New Zealand, and was crowned the Rugby League International Federation’s player of the year.
Meninga said his on-field general was now up with the best players to play the game.
“You talk about Noel Kelly and Steve Walters, they’re pigeon-holed up there (as the best hookers) and he’s gone past those two guys,” said Meninga.
“He’s a in a bit of a stratosphere by himself at the moment.”
Meninga said Smith and Lockyer were very similar.
“He’s a bit old school and Darren was like that.
“He’s an exceptional leader and Queensland is very lucky and very happy to have him.”
Smith said he’d learned a great deal from Lockyer.
“He was the best captain I’ve ever played underneath and I was fortunate to play a lot of games under him and learn so much from him,” he said.
Queensland winger Darius Boyd (bruised ankle) seems certain to play along with virus victim Johnathan Thurston, who Smith said was “still a bit dusty” 24 hours out from the game.
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