ID :
127861
Mon, 06/14/2010 - 23:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/127861
The shortlink copeid
Smith wants to do it for Storm boys
Queensland rake Cameron Smith admits wrapping up the State of Origin series on
Wednesday would be a massive boon for the Melbourne players in the squad following
the Storm's lost NRL season.
Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk have had to endure a meaningless
competition this year in the wake of the Storm not playing for any points following
the club's salary cap scandal.
And Smith says that would make wrapping up the Origin series particularly sweet for
him and Queensland's Storm contingent.
"The (Anzac) Test was enjoyable, even though I only lasted 28 minutes which was a
bit of a shame," said Smith, whose elbow injury against New Zealand saw him miss
Origin I after 19 successive games.
"I've been really looking forward to the Origin series. It was hard to sit out the
first game.
"I'm really looking forward to playing at home with a chance to wrap up the series.
"It would be great for everyone but particularly the Melbourne guys to get something
out of this year."
Smith said captain Darren Lockyer would also be looking to get something out of the
match, not that he was suggesting that it would be the veteran's last Origin game in
Queensland.
"I hope Locky keeps playing Origin for as long as he can, until he's 40 if he wants"
said Smith.
"I love playing alongside him, he brings out the best in players.
"He lifts a side. He's been great for us the last four years.
"The way he's playing he deserves to keep playing and if he feels that way next
year, we'd all support him again."
Lockyer, 33, agonised over his representative future for months earlier this year.
While 2010 is expected to be his last he's yet to say unequivocally that this will
be his representative swansong.
And Smith gave the strongest indication yet that Lockyer could saddle up again in 2011.
"It's being billed as a farewell because he's playing at home, but he could go on
next year easily," said Smith.
"It depends how he finishes this year and how he's feeling when Origin rolls around
next year."
Champion halfback Allan Langer set the record of 34 games when Queensland coach
Wayne Bennett secretly flew him back from UK for the series decider in 2002.
"He's pretty close to breaking the Origin record. I'm sure he's got one eye on
that," Smith said.
"He plays his 32nd game on Wednesday night and so he only has to play next year's
series to break it."
Queensland were not concerned by reports NSW coach Craig Bellamy may opt to return
Kurt Gidley to fullback, keeping Jarryd Hayne on the wing with Timana Tahu's late
replacement Joel Monaghan on the bench.
"The guys will try and find out what they are planning and I'm sure Mal (Meninga)
will have some spies out at Suncorp Stadium when they have their final training run
on Tuesday," Smith said.
"We played all their players so many times in club matches we know their games
pretty well."
"Origin is not so much about knowing everybody's game as it is about getting out
their and having a red hot crack and making sure you don't stop for the 80 minutes."
Wednesday would be a massive boon for the Melbourne players in the squad following
the Storm's lost NRL season.
Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk have had to endure a meaningless
competition this year in the wake of the Storm not playing for any points following
the club's salary cap scandal.
And Smith says that would make wrapping up the Origin series particularly sweet for
him and Queensland's Storm contingent.
"The (Anzac) Test was enjoyable, even though I only lasted 28 minutes which was a
bit of a shame," said Smith, whose elbow injury against New Zealand saw him miss
Origin I after 19 successive games.
"I've been really looking forward to the Origin series. It was hard to sit out the
first game.
"I'm really looking forward to playing at home with a chance to wrap up the series.
"It would be great for everyone but particularly the Melbourne guys to get something
out of this year."
Smith said captain Darren Lockyer would also be looking to get something out of the
match, not that he was suggesting that it would be the veteran's last Origin game in
Queensland.
"I hope Locky keeps playing Origin for as long as he can, until he's 40 if he wants"
said Smith.
"I love playing alongside him, he brings out the best in players.
"He lifts a side. He's been great for us the last four years.
"The way he's playing he deserves to keep playing and if he feels that way next
year, we'd all support him again."
Lockyer, 33, agonised over his representative future for months earlier this year.
While 2010 is expected to be his last he's yet to say unequivocally that this will
be his representative swansong.
And Smith gave the strongest indication yet that Lockyer could saddle up again in 2011.
"It's being billed as a farewell because he's playing at home, but he could go on
next year easily," said Smith.
"It depends how he finishes this year and how he's feeling when Origin rolls around
next year."
Champion halfback Allan Langer set the record of 34 games when Queensland coach
Wayne Bennett secretly flew him back from UK for the series decider in 2002.
"He's pretty close to breaking the Origin record. I'm sure he's got one eye on
that," Smith said.
"He plays his 32nd game on Wednesday night and so he only has to play next year's
series to break it."
Queensland were not concerned by reports NSW coach Craig Bellamy may opt to return
Kurt Gidley to fullback, keeping Jarryd Hayne on the wing with Timana Tahu's late
replacement Joel Monaghan on the bench.
"The guys will try and find out what they are planning and I'm sure Mal (Meninga)
will have some spies out at Suncorp Stadium when they have their final training run
on Tuesday," Smith said.
"We played all their players so many times in club matches we know their games
pretty well."
"Origin is not so much about knowing everybody's game as it is about getting out
their and having a red hot crack and making sure you don't stop for the 80 minutes."
