Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australian captain Cameron Smith has dropped a bombshell on Tuesday afternoon by announcing his retirement from representative football, effective immediately.
The 34-year-old called a press conference alongside Queensland coach Kevin Walters at 1pm (AEST) in Melbourne today, where he confirmed the news.
Smith told the press it was a long process in making the decision, but after not being able to back up after Origin for the Storm in 2017 and a long season ending with the World Cup, he made the decision to call it quits.
“It’s been a fairly lengthy process for me to come to this decision. I started having some small thoughts about finishing up my representative career last year,” said Smith.
“Right now, this year is the right time to finish up.
“Last year more than any other year, the Origin series had an effect on me, both physically and mentally out of any year that I’ve played. I’m very proud of my ability to back up after Origin matches.
“From a personal point of view, I would have loved to have played on for longer, but it’s not a perfect world.”
The veteran hooker has been a permanent fixture in rep footy since he made his debut and has since gone onto play 42 matches for Queensland and 56 for Australia, being involved in all 11 of the Maroons’ State of Origin successes over the last 12.
Of his 42 matches for Queensland’s State of Origin team, Smith has been captain in 21 and holds the record for most Origin victories for a single player with 26.
Since making his Origin debut in 2003, Smith has missed just a single match through injury in 2008. Matt Ballin was his replacement on that occasions, although who comes into the side this time around is much less certain.
Three players would seem to be the most natural replacements: Brisbane’s Andrew McCullough, North Queensland’s Jake Granville and Sydney’s Jake Friend. However, with Friend battling poor form and a sternum injury, and Granville’s Cowboys in a funk, McCullough would seem to be the frontrunner.
One of the side’s other veterans is likely to take the mantle of Queensland captain from Smith, with Billy Slater and Greg Inglis sure to be in the running.
Finishing his rep career with 56 Tests for Australia, Smith will be second on the overall honours list for the national team, finishing three behind Darren Lockyer, who played 59.
The retirement of Smith will continue a mass changing of the guard for the Maroons, with Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk also pulling the pin on representative football this season.
It means the only remaining member of their spine will be fullback Slater, who is almost guaranteed to be picked for the series opener in Melbourne on June 6 barring injury or suspension.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I will give you that. Wally is still the best player I have ever seen. I saw him dominate games without even breaking out of a jog. He was on another level.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Plus Souths and Wynuum at the time were equal in talent to any Sydney club. 86 is when the BRL really went down.
Mushi
Guest
Hmm agree to disagree there, I think he was known for his powerful running and speed off the mark. Top end speed, sure he was average, but pure burst very few other 5/8s could contain him man on man. Hence he was a decent try scorer despite being a play maker. Just watch that famous try over Garry Jack who was a battle axe of a fullback.
Mushi
Guest
I am not great at accounting for others ignorance rellum! But yes it really is a shame. Then you also get the "well why didn't he played in the NSWRL" despite the fact it's been well documented that the QRL had a right to match in his contract which kept him in the BRL.
Mushi
Guest
Turtle!
Rellum
Roar Guru
You have to remember there are people who think Wally's club career started in 1988. The fact that the BRL records are not counted is a complete injustice.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Sure, but he wasn't know for his speed or power. Had had those attributes, but not top of the range.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Qld will never be stronger without smith, Thurston, cronk, slater (who will retire this year). Truth is they are in a very vulnerable state for the next 3 to 4 years ore more. Their replacements don't come anywhere near them and I think they will get found out quite clearly in game 1. Then kevvie can start sending out SOSs like popcorn out of a pan for them to come out of retirement...
soapit
Guest
yeah i know. i just think his dominance does get over inflated a bit because of nsw's poor run of hooking options over the period with the buderus respect the main casualty.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Comment of the day!
Matt H
Roar Guru
Ash Taylor ahead of Hunt, Morgan, DCE? Big call.
Mushi
Guest
Um his club form was pretty good. He won a few titles against teams with Aussie rep players. I think he was also top try scorer for the Broncos first season despite rep duties and being a half.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough...but not the point. I doubt Smith is running from representative footy because he’s worried about being shown up by McInnes.
mushi
Roar Guru
Wally actually had a fair amount of athleticism (his burst of speed, step and strength were all alitel attacking weapons) , he just didn't look like it.
Matt
Guest
No fear, we are hearing Alfie is set to make another comeback to help save the Toads. He runs on the field so often and for so long these days, he hasn’t lost any fitness, and he never was a sprinter so there wasn’t any pace to lose. Bloody master stroke!
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I think the hooker will be McCullough. Friend is busted and out of form and while I'm a big fan of Granville he is not an 80 minute player. He is explosive but fades in and out of games because he doesn't have the legs to go all game. Inglis for captain. As far as goalkicking goes hmm... Val holmes if he gets picked. I've heard Munster can kick? DCE misses kicks from in front and hasn't been in line to get picked anyway
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I think the hooker will be McCullough. Friend is busted and out of form and while I'm a big fan of Granville he is not an 80 minute player. He is explosive but fades in and out of games because he doesn't have the legs to go all game. Inglis for captain. As far as goalkicking goes hmm... Val holmes if he gets picked. I've heard Munster can kick?
soapit
Guest
buderus got the better of smith plenty too. the others... well not so much
R N
Roar Rookie
Seriously though the more I think about this the more I kinda of like it. B.Hunt at hooker allows Morgan ( form permitting) or DCE to go to half and opens up a bench spot for ponga. Realistically the Dalby Devils junior will be there, he is tough as nails and he won’t let anyone down.
thomas c
Guest
couple guys picked a poor time to be out of form. Over the last couple years, i had watched for the eventual Smith replacement. At times, i had picked Friend, Granville, and Matt Parcel as the next generation. All of those guys seem to have fallen off the radar. I think McCullough is fine, but it might have some kind of a cascading effect in terms of game plan or even selection.