May 15th, 2018

May 15th, 2018

Queensland selector Darren Lockyer believes the Maroons should be ‘feeling a little uncomfortable’ about State of Origin following the shock retirement of captain Cameron Smith.

Smith stunned the rugby league world on Tuesday when he announced he was stepping down from all forms of representative football effective immediately.

His departure leaves a huge void in the Maroons line-up, with halves Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk already announcing their representative retirements last year.

Both teams will be announced in less than two weeks for the opening game of the series on June 6 and Lockyer admits Queensland’s dominance could be challenged after dominating the interstate contest for 12 of the last 13 years.

Smith drops bombshell over future

“For the past decade or longer, it’s just pretty much picked itself,” Lockyer said.

“People always come up to me and say, ‘How are we going to go this year without (Cooper) Cronk or (Johnathan) Thurston?’

“I say, ‘Look you can’t replace those guys but I still feel pretty comfortable while Cameron’s there.’

“He’s gone now so it’s probably time to start feeling a little uncomfortable.”

Lockyer described the news of Smith standing down from the Maroons after a career that started in 2003 and has taken in 42 games as a “huge shock.”

Lewis, Lockyer & Thurston praise Cameron Smith

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“There was the question of when he was going to retire was being asked a lot more,” Lockyer said.

“I don’t think anyone saw this coming. I only knew a few hours before the press conference.

(Queensland coach) Kevvie (Walters) rang me and said, ‘Look this is what’s happening.’ He only found out (on Monday night).

“It’s come as a real surprise.”

Lockyer added that Smith always managed to maintain a cool head in pressure situations, which started when he made his debut for the Maroons in 2003.

“No doubt I think he’s the most composed player in a big stage game that you’ll ever come across,” Lockyer said.

Walters says Smith leaves behind a huge void

“He just knew how to come up with the right plays in the critical times in big games.

“His relaxed demeanour made the rest of the group stay calm under pressure.”

The pressure is now on to find a replacement for Smith as captain, with Lockyer joining Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga in naming South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis as an option.

There will also be pressure to find a hooker, with Brisbane’s Andrew McCullough, Sydney Roosters’ Jake Friend and North Queensland’s Jake Granville all in the mix.

“They’ve all got their positives but if you were going like for like, and no-one is ever going to replace Cameron Smith but McCullough plays 80 minutes, he gets through his tackles, he’s got a kicking game.

“Jake and Jake, they’re tough players, they get out, they run, and they create some havoc with their running game but they probably don’t have the kicking game of Andrew McCullough.”