Jul 13th, 2019

Jul 13th, 2019

Cameron Smith snubbed former teammate Cooper Cronk for a special celebration of his 400th game, a Sunday report says.

Danny Weidler reported in his Sun Herald column that Smith held a dinner for significant figures in his career on Thursday night.

Storm icons Craig Bellamy and Billy Slater made the cut - but Cronk did not, despite playing hundreds of games alongside Smith for Melbourne, Queensland and Australia.

Weidler reported that Smith personally compiled the guest list and Cronk's omission was further evidence that the Storm greats were no longer friends.

"It’s a relationship beyond repair," Weidler wrote.

Cooper Cronk grabs Cameron Smith's neck after a hit in the 2018 grand final. (AAP)

Smith reportedly disliked the manner of Cronk's exit from the Storm, feeling that the halfback made it all about himself when he joined the Roosters rather than opting to retire.

Yet Weidler said that Cronk bore a significant grudge towards Smith.

"The truth is far more personal and relates to the way the Smith family treated the Cronks in relation to a matter away from football. It was fairly average. And Cronk is entitled to stand his ground," he wrote.

Smith did not attend the wedding of Cronk to sports presenter Tara Rushton in December 2017, after the halfback chose to move to Sydney so that his new wife could remain in her job at Fox Sports. It is unknown if that is the "personal" issue that Weidler is referring to.

Cronk paid a glowing tribute to Smith after announcing his looming retirement earlier this season and also recorded a message to his former teammate for his 400th game.

Cronk will be in action for the Roosters against the Cowboys in Gosford on Sunday afternoon.