Cameron Smith has received tongues wagging after he was seen addressing Queensland gamers at half time in the course of the Maroons’ well-known Recreation 1 victory.
Smith has been Queensland coach Billy Slater’s prime lieutenant this Origin sequence alongside a star-studded teaching brains belief of Josh Hannay, Johnathan Thurston and Nate Myles.
Slater was broadly praised for his genius teaching in final 12 months’s shock sequence win over NSW — however the sight of Smith being the one addressing the group at half time has received some followers elevating their eyebrows.
Dressing room footage at half time confirmed Smith talking to gamers whereas Slater sat and listened.
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Smith, nevertheless, downplayed the importance of his position within the 26-18 win and stated on 9 he was solely reinforcing what Slater had already informed the gamers.
Paul Vautin stated it seemed like Smith was “doing all of the speaking”.
Smith responded: “I used to be reiterating what the coaches stated earlier than I received in.
“I requested the group to be higher at their first three tackles. Once we kicked down in New South Wales’ territory. We had been coming again in opposition to Tedesco, Crichton. Brian To’o, simply to be higher these first three tackles as a result of if we managed the momentum, we are able to management the later performs with Cleary and Luai and Isaah Yeo getting concerned. The one factor you can not query from this aspect is their dedication to one another and their dedication to the jersey and their dedication to the State of Queensland and other people watching at dwelling.”
Smith was additionally requested early within the second half about his position within the Queenslans sheds after he resumed his commentary position with Channel 9.
He stated his message was “extra about resilience on the try-line”.
Andrew Johns stated Smith was mendacity about what he’d actually informed the Queensland gamers.
When requested is he believed what Smith stated, Johns stated “Na”.
Smith’s position as a commentator and member of the Queensland teaching employees has led to many questions with some followers calling for him to face down from his TV position whereas he continues to educate Queensland.
Blues icon Johns has been a long-term teaching guide and adviser to current NSW coaches and has been in a position to juggle the 2 roles.
There will be no denying there was magic in no matter Slater and Smith stated to the gamers as Queensland pulled off probably the most brave Origin wins in current reminiscence.
Queensland nice Vautin described it as one of many best wins in Origin historical past.
“This Origin sport will get higher yearly,” he stated on 9.
“That’s one of many best wins I’ve ever seen from the Queensland group. They misplaced a participant after 20 minutes in Tom Gilbert, that they had one of many worst sin bins I’ve ever seen in my life. They misplaced one other play for 10 minutes and in that 10 minutes, they scored two tries. It’s an excellent effort. They gained on the defence and defence wins Origins.”
At the least Smith wasn’t within the referees’ dressing room at half time.
Initially printed as Picture of Cameron Smith in Queensland dressing room has tongues wagging
