Maroons coach Billy Slater will have two all-time greats to call on when he leads Queensland to this year’s State of Origin series after Cameron Smith was confirmed as an assistant coach.
Smith joins Johnathan Thurston in Slater’s brain trust, while Sharks assistant and another former Maroon in Josh Hannay completes the coaching staff.
Thurston has previously had a coaching position with the Queensland side while it will be Smith’s first official role since the conclusion of his Origin career as a player in 2017.
“It’s a jersey and a team that I’m extremely proud of and passionate about,” Smith said.
“But I’m also passionate about Queensland people and our state and making sure that they feel success, and that they can be proud of their football side when we represent them.
“If I can help in some way and give the current players the opportunity to be at their best on game night, and to help or assist Billy to be the best coach he can be, then that’s my role.
“It’s not about anything else, other than trying to help people be better through my knowledge, through my experiences, and if I can make a small difference, I’ll be happy.”
Smith (42 games) and Thurston (37) sit one and two for all-time Origin appearances and their partnership was instrumental in Queensland’s dominance as they won 11 of 12 series from 2006-2017.
Slater, himself a virtual mainstay of those teams with 31 Origins to his name, said he was thrilled to have the experience and knowledge of the pair alongside him as he coaches the state for the first time.
“If you look at what he brought as a player and a leader, I think that’s also what he can bring as a member of the coaching staff,” Slater said of Smith.
“Some people have this aura about them, and Cameron Smith is one of those people.
“He didn’t have to say a lot as captain of the Queensland State of Origin team, you felt it more than anything … you felt his presence.
“JT is your ultimate Origin competitor. We saw all the brilliant stuff that Johnathan brought to the game, but for me it was the work ethic that he demanded from himself, which in turn he demanded from his teammates,” Slater said.
“I think he can have that sort of impact as a coach also. Obviously, his skills and vision of the game, understanding the balance of when to pull the trigger and when to play the percentage play, that was where he excelled in the big games.
“His last moment in Origin was kicking that pressure goal. I just think he’s a valuable asset, not just with the coaching staff, but the players in particular.”
The first game of this year's series is set for June 8 in Sydney.
