Cameron Smith says Maroons need to fix their preparation after Origin defeat

Queensland legend Cameron Smith says the Maroons need to fix their preparation after State of Origin defeat as they prepare to welcome back Kalyn Ponga and Josh Papalii.

Queensland Origin coach Paul Green leaves The Ville hotel in Townsville. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm

Queensland legend Cameron Smith insists there is a way back for the Maroons but has urged them to only consider players who are ready to go from day one of camp as they look to level the State of Origin series in Brisbane.

Maroons coach Paul Green has already acknowledged his side’s preparation was less than ideal, having entered the Origin series with AJ Brimson under any injury cloud, Dane Gagai having spent three days in hospital with tonsillitis, and Cameron Munster and Harry Grant returning after long stretches on the sidelines.

Queensland will make changes following their record defeat at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville — Kalyn Ponga will be recalled fitness-permitting and Josh Papalii will be rushed into the front row. They may also be forced to replace Gagai as he undergoes scans on a hand injury.

Smith insists the priority is to make sure everyone is ready to train from day one.

“There’s always a way back,” Smith said.

“For starters, you have to give credit to NSW. They were red hot. Can they play better than that? I am not too sure.

“The Blues took the game away from them with the energy they started with and their intent with the ball. There is a fair bit of work to do heading into the second game and some changes — their approach to the game and their attitude to the match.

“It starts with the preparation. This isn’t an excuse but Queensland didn’t have an ideal build-up. They had guys under injury clouds who didn’t train early in the week.

“Dane Gagai being ill did help either. I guess for game two they want to be picking players who are fit and ready to play from day one.”

Ponga won’t play for Newcastle this weekend and remains under a cloud as he struggles with an adductor problem. His return would allow Green to push Valentine Holmes back to the wing.

Papalii missed Origin I through suspension but makes his return for Canberra this weekend and will earn an immediate recall.

Papalii’s absence was exacerbated when fellow frontrower Christian Welch was forced from the field in the first half following a head knock. Ben Hunt may also push for a place on the interchange bench — he was 18th man on Wednesday night.

“Nothing has changed for us — we still need to win two out of three,” Green said.

“Emotionally we unjust have to get over the game as quickly as we want. We can’t carry the baggage. We have to flush it.”

Green reached out to Smith in the lead-up to Origin I to ask whether he would be interested in coming into camp. Events conspired against that happening but Smith hasn’t ruled out helping the Maroons in the lead-up to Origin II.

“I saw him in the build-up and he said if I would like to come to a training session, I am more than welcome,” Smith said.

“The good thing is they are on the (Gold) Coast. One bloke isn’t going to come in and change the whole thing. Greeny is a premiership coach, JT (assistant coach Johnathan Thurston) had played 37 Origins and is a premiership player who has won multiple Origin series, they have Nate Myles as well.

“They have people who know what needs to happen at that level. If I have an opportunity to go in there I would stick my head in, say g’day and see what is going on.”

Meanwhile, Queensland Rugby League chair Bruce Hatcher said it was far too early to pass judgment on Green and whether he was the right man to take the Maroons forward.

Green has a one-year deal to coach Queensland with an option for next season.

“Have no doubt, he has absolute support,” Hatcher said.

“If you judge Origin by one game, the only one that comes out of that positive is game one. A coach doesn’t send a team out to perform like that.
“It is not complacency. You imagine adopting the majority of the team to a new environment and having that as your first performance.

“He is an elite coach with an extremely good track record. This modern game, sides can put a lot of points on you because you are off the pace a bit.

“That NSW side isn’t a bunch of novices.”