Storm legend Billy Slater says 400-game milestone won’t affect Cameron Smith’s form
Handling pressure and expectation seems to come naturally to Cameron Smith and Billy Slater insists it will be no different when the Storm captain plays his milestone match.
NRL
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Billy Slater remains adamant Cameron Smith’s “ridiculous” milestone will not distract Storm, nor the captain, ahead of Saturday night’s crunch assignment against Cronulla Sharks.
The Sharks will be desperate to play spoilers, having won five of the past seven against the Storm but Slater’s said Smith’s experience in big games — for club, state and country — will come to the fore.
“Towards the back end of his career, and when I say that, it’s probably the last seven or eight years, he’s been able to handle this situations really well,” Slater said.
“I think he’ll acknowledge the week is about him, that the game is going to be about him, I don’t think it’s going to effect his performance.”
Smith had Tuesday away from the club, following a day of presentations and media commitments, to gear up for the Sharks blockbuster.
Storm young gun Ryan Papenhuyzen on Tuesday welcomed the expectation of making sure it is a “special occasion” for Smith.
“I thought there would be (more pressure) … but it’s more of an excitement factor, especially midway through the season, the bodies are starting to hurt a little bit more and just this extra bit of motivation to come out and put in a good performance for Smithy, I wouldn’t say it’s more pressure, it’s more excitement.”
The gravity of Smith’s “unbelievable” milestone, however, is not lost on the 12-NRL game speedster.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about it really, just trying to think who the next player it could possibly be that’s playing at the moment and there is no one really,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I think there’s Mitch Pearce and he’s already 27-28 and a long way off.
“He’s (Smith) set the bar now. It’s a good thing for rugby league because we know 400 is reachable, I think for us younger blokes now that’s the benchmark, that’s what you strive for now.”
Cam Smith’s 400th Saturday night at 7.30pm LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX LEAGUE and streamed on Foxtel Now.
Don’t miss Cam Smith: His Story at 9.45pm Saturday night following the footy on FOX LEAGUE and streamed on Foxtel Now.
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