Cameron Smith sees merit in Toowoomba NRL game

MELBOURNE Storm captain Cameron Smith would love to see the NRL take more premiership games to regional centres like Toowoomba.

NRL STAR: Cameron Smith puts young players at his junior club Logan Brothers through their paces. Smith said he is looking forward to his testimonial match against friend and North Queensland Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston. Picture: David Nielsen

RUGBY LEAGUE: Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith would love to see the NRL take more premiership games to regional centres like Toowoomba.

Speaking to The Chronicle yesterday, the Queensland and Australian representative hooker said the decision to move two Gold Coast Titans games to Toowoomba and Gladstone was a great idea.

"I think it's a great idea by the NRL and I'd like to see more of it," Smith said.

"Country football has always been one of the biggest contributors to game.

"There are so many passionate fans in those areas so it's good to see that passion and support being rewarded.

"The players love taking games out to those communities as well - it's always a great atmosphere."

On Friday, February 23 Smith and the Storm will square off against the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in a special testimonial match.

The Cowboys will be led into action by former Toowoomba Brothers junior and St Mary's College student Johnathan Thurston.

Johnathan Thurston poses for a photo with fans during an Origin fan day in Mackay. Picture: Madolyn Peters

The testimonial match, the first of its kind, will honour two league legends who between them have 657 club club games, 59 Origins, 95 Tests, 10 All-Star caps, six Dally M medals, five Wally Lewis medals, four NRL grand finals wins and three World Cup wins.

Smith said the match would be one of the highlights of his career.

"It's going to be a very special night," Smith said.

"JT (Thurston) and I are great mates and that friendship isn't just in a football sense. We've been friends for a very long time on and off the field."

Three charities, NRL Cowboys House, Ovarian Cancer Australia and Prostate Cancer Foundation, will also benefit from the match.

"These charities are very close to myself and JT," Smith said.

"It's a great opportunity for us to raise some funds for them and increase awareness and it's great the fans can get behind it."

Originally published as Cameron Smith sees merit in Toowoomba NRL game