State of Origin news: Cameron Smith joins Billy Slater’s Queensland coaching dream team

Cameron Smith was the lynchpin of Queensland’s record-breaking Origin dominance - now he’s back, in the coach’s box, and ready to inflict more pain on NSW.

Johnathan Thurston (L) will also have a role alongisde Smith and head coach Slater. Picture: Getty

It’s official. Queensland legend Cameron Smith is back to haunt Brad Fittler’s Blues.

News Corp can reveal Smith has formally inked a contract with the Queensland Rugby League as new Maroons mentor Billy Slater delivers the final piece in his coaching dream team to reclaim the Origin shield this season.

After months of speculation, Smith is finally on board with the Maroons, with Slater putting together a four-pronged coaching arsenal including Johnathan Thurston and Josh Hannay in a bid to deny NSW a fourth Origin series in five years.

Smith, the most-capped player in Origin history with 42 appearances, has put pen to paper.

The Queensland Rugby League will announce Smith’s return to Camp Maroon on Tuesday.

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Maroons legend Cameron Smith (C) chats with Billy Slater (R), with whom he’ll form a formidable coaching duo this year. Picture: Getty

Smith, Thurston and Slater were key members of Queensland’s playmaking spine during the most ruthless dynasty in Origin history, when Mal Meninga’s Maroons marauders charged to nine series wins in a golden decade between 2006-2015.

Now the band is back together, this time as a coaching alliance, with Smith to join Thurston and Hannay as full-time assistants in a huge coup for Queensland as Slater looks to restore Maroon pride in his rookie campaign as an Origin mentor.

Smith and Thurston are Queensland’s two most experienced players, having amassed 79 Origin games between them, while Cronulla assistant coach Hannay was a member of the 2006 squad that kickstarted the Maroons’ decade of dominance.

Johnathan Thurston (L) will also have a role alongisde Smith and head coach Slater. Picture: Getty

Smith’s Origin record is peerless. The 38-year-old won 11 of 15 Origin series, including six as captain, with Slater believing the champion hooker’s status, fierce will-to-win and footballing intellect gives Queensland a trump card in his quest to halt Fittler’s sky-blue juggernaut.

“Some people have this aura about them, and Cameron Smith is one of those people,” Slater said.

“If you look at what he brought as a player and a leader, I think that’s what he can bring as a member of our coaching staff.

“He didn’t have to say a lot as the captain of the Queensland State of Origin team, you felt it more than anything … you felt his presence.”

Slater has compiled a formidable team of assistants and 56-Test icon Smith will be a key adviser to Queensland’s band of emerging forwards, including his Storm hooking protege Harry Grant.

The Maroons endured a nightmare 2021 series loss under Slater’s predecessor Paul Green, including a record 50-6 drubbing in Game One, and Smith is a key plank in Queensland’s restoration project this season.

The Blues sealed their fourth series win in five years last year. Picture: NRL Photos

Considered an NRL Immortal-in-waiting, Smith – whose record 430 premiership matches will most likely never be beaten – is relishing the prospect of bringing down the Blues.

“It’s a jersey and a team that I’m extremely proud of and passionate about,” said Smith, who retired from the NRL after skippering Melbourne to the 2020 premiership and last wore the Queensland jumper in 2017.

“But I’m also passionate about Queensland people and our state and making sure that they feel success, and they can be proud of their football side when we represent them.

“If I can help in some way and give the players the opportunity to be at their best on game night and 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 I’m hoping that if I can make a small difference, I’ll be happy.”

Smith and Slater, pictured with Greg Inglis, formed the backbone of Queensland’s on-field dynasty. Picture: Getty

Slater has also enlisted former Maroons prop Nate Myles and halfback luminary Allan Langer to join Queensland’s support team this season.

In total, Queensland’s six-strong brains-trust of Slater (31 games), Smith (42), Thurston (37), Hannay (two), Myles (32) and Langer (34) possess an impressive 178 matches of Origin experience.

Former Maroons playmaker Thurston cannot wait to reunite with Slater and Smith as the Big Three prepare to terrorise the Blues from the coaching box.

“It was very humbling when Bill asked me to stay on board,” Thurston said.

“He’s given me some roles he wants me to concentrate on for this series coming up. Bill’s attention to detail is second-to-none. That’s been the way he has played the game and that’s the way he’ll coach the side.

“It’s very humbling to be a part of the coaching staff but I’m also there to do a job and that is to make sure the boys perform at the highest level.”

Originally published as State of Origin news: Cameron Smith joins Billy Slater’s Queensland coaching dream team