Queensland needs players willing to do whatever it takes - just like Cameron Smith
WHEN you play for representative sides, the ego goes to the pocket. So Queensland needs players willing to do whatever it takes - just like Cameron Smith, writes GORDEN TALLIS.
Opinion
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CAMERON Smith’s decision to retire from representative football this week has been met with mixed emotions.
Everyone has their opinion on it.
The theory down south is that he’s seen the writing on the wall. That Queensland cannot win this series and he knows it.
Some Queenslanders believe he has deserted us in a time of need and that he shouldn’t walk away knowing Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are no longer there.
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With the way he’s been playing, Maroons fans seem to think he could have gone for at least one more year.
For me, none of this is relevant.
It’s not about what he hasn’t given Queensland or what he’s not doing for them this series.
It’s about what he has given us.
Forty two games.
When he made his Origin debut in 2003, no one knew he was going to be the player he has become.
No one knew what he was going to do for Queensland, and no one predicted that he was going to be the best Origin player ever.
He learnt how to win and how to lead and he came through at a very special time.
That’s what I’m going to remember about him.
But one of the reasons he was able to reach 42 Origin games as Queensland’s hooker was also because no one stood up to take his mantle, or put pressure on him.
But the time to do that has arrived.
And it’s not just the Andrew McCulloughs or Jake Granvilles of the game who need to step up.
Now is the time for everybody to put their hand up.
My theory on Origin is that you pick the best 17 players in the competition.
I have watched Queensland teams where Gene Miles has played in the second row, or Australian teams with Mal Meninga in the second row. They were two great centres but they made the move for their state and nation.
Even Wally Lewis played for Queensland at lock. They all did what the team needed them to do.
This year Queensland needs the best 17 players who can do the role coach Kevin Walters wants them to do.
That might be McCullough or Granville or Jake Friend.
But if Ash Taylor is putting his hand up for No. 9, or Daly Cherry-Evans or Ben Hunt, then those guys should be looked at too.
I played for Australia when one of our greatest playmakers in Andrew Johns was the hooker.
I’m sure deep down he didn’t like it, but he went at it and I remember his enthusiasm at training.
It might be a shock to the ego but when you play for representative sides, the ego goes to the pocket.
That’s what Smith was so great at. He did whatever the team needed, and what I would like as a Queenslander is to see the person who replaces him to have the same attitude.
What I’d like is that whoever gets selected does whatever Walters needs them to do, that they put their hand up to play anywhere.
Whether it’s McCullough, Hunt, Taylor, Cameron Munster, Michael Morgan, I don’t care.
Just do it for the state.
Originally published as Queensland needs players willing to do whatever it takes - just like Cameron Smith
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