Cameron Smith to retire from representative footy for Queensland and Kangaroos, effective immediatel

[Precise]

NSW should have this on lock for several years to go, they can't match us in the go foward, wingers, centres, Will be interesting to see Munster carry such a massive load on he's shoulders now. Will be Slaters last origin if he isn't already in the stages of lining up to quit as well.

 

[beastwood89]

Big pressure on Freddy I say this is his time, if he flops things could get ugly

 

[Wahesh]

Blues were favorites just but they should be overwhelming now.

Now watch 'em flop!

 

[Wearnze]

So both teams will have a new fresh look to them.

Wouldn't surprise me if Slater also leaves before Game 1. If I were him, I would be thinking I want to leave now that I have a new 7 and 9 to work with. It just won't be the same for him...

 

[Malla]

He will go from playing first grade straight to coaching - whether it is at the Storm or Broncos remains to be seen, but I would assume his retirement from NRL will come at the end of next season once he cracks 400 first grade games.

 

[COVENS]

No established goal kicker for QLD, unless they go

7. Taylor
9. Hunt/McCullough

 

[Wearnze]

If I were QLD I'd probably play Andrew McCullough but to be honest him, Friend and Granville are in the getting too old for origin debut in my opinion.

Fortunately for NSW they have no better options.

I understand it would be a big risk as they don't play this position at club level but if I were Walters I'd consider playing Mybe, DCE or Hunt at number 9.

Would it really be the worse selection they could pick? Friend is injured, Granville isn't in great form, leaving McCullough as my only other option.

 

[CroydonDog]

He will go from playing first grade straight to coaching - whether it is at the Storm or Broncos remains to be seen, but I would assume his retirement from NRL will come at the end of next season once he cracks 400 first grade games.

I'd use the "agree" button, but it appears to have been taken away from us again....

 

[CroydonDog]

So both teams will have a new fresh look to them.

Wouldn't surprise me if Slater also leaves before Game 1. If I were him, I would be thinking I want to leave now that I have a new 7 and 9 to work with. It just won't be the same for him...

I think there will be too much pressure on Slater now to stay, as they need some experience.

 

[GoTheDoggies]

Big pressure on Freddy I say this is his time, if he flops things could get ugly

Yep, all this does is put pressure on the Blues. They will bottle it as usual.

 

[DoggiesBoy]

Good riddance to the grub.

 

[Ogre]

If NSW don’t win the origin this year, they never will.

 

[Freakzilla]

If I were QLD I'd probably play Andrew McCullough but to be honest him, Friend and Granville are in the getting too old for origin debut in my opinion.

Fortunately for NSW they have no better options.

I understand it would be a big risk as they don't play this position at club level but if I were Walters I'd consider playing Mybe, DCE or Hunt at number 9.

Would it really be the worse selection they could pick? Friend is injured, Granville isn't in great form, leaving McCullough as my only other option.

Jake Friend is actually younger than McCullough. AM is a better player though

 

[OITENTA-E-NOVE]

alfie warming up for story book comeback 2.0

 

[adamsapple]

Losing Cronk JT Smith in the one season is massive
I guess Slater or GI will now captain the side

Blues should win the series 3-0

 

[COVENS]

Jake Friend is actually younger than McCullough. AM is a better player though

By 5 days

 

[Freakzilla]

By 5 days

Still younger. He was saying Friend is too old.

 

[COVENS]

Still younger. He was saying Friend is too old.

He said McCullogh, Friend and Granville are too old

 

[Freakzilla]

He said McCullogh, Friend and Granville are too old

My bad, I misread his comment.

 

[KiwiDog7]

I remember Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh all retired in 1984 just before Australia were scheduled to play the west indies in 10 consecutive test matches. They saw the writing on the wall and didn’t want to face them.
Cameron Smith I believe realises that QLD’s dominance is over. Best to get out now and end a career on a winning note.

And what a winning Origin career it was perhaps not replicated in our lifetime