Queensland’s search for a new State of Origin coach has taken a fresh twist with leading candidate Cameron Smith ruling himself out of contention.
The most capped man in the Origin arena with 42 appearances had been backed by legendary figures including Wayne Bennett to replace Billy Slater, but Smith won’t be the man to take over from his former Storm teammate.
The QRL announced on Friday that Slater was stepping down after five series in charge, with Smith and current Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters ruling themselves out.
“I’ve heard comments from Wayne Bennett (endorsing me) and I really appreciate the sentiments, but it’s not the role for me at this current time,” Smith said on 100% Footy, having formerly served as a Maroons assistant coach.
“I was lucky enough to be involved in the camp with the players and Billy in 2022-23 and thoroughly enjoyed my time, but there was a reason I stepped away after 2023.
“I couldn’t fully commit to the role and at the time that was an assistant coach, not head coach, and nothing in my life has changed.
“We were all fairly surprised Billy made the decision to stand down. I thought he would have gone around another 12 months and I said as much to him.
“At this point in my life, it’s not the right thing for me and my family.”
Queensland assistant coach Johnathan Thurston has also distanced himself from the role which leaves the QRL with only a few logical options.
Broncos assistant Matt Ballin has experience in the Origin arena but would need to leave his NRL role if he wanted the Maroons gig, just as Matt King will do at the end of the year when he quits the Roosters to take over as Blues boss.
Smith says Ben Te’o is another obvious candidate.
“Logic would suggest taking guys from within that have been there with Billy to continue that path that he’s built over the last five years,” Smith said.
“I’m talking about guys like Ben Te’o, Matt Ballin and ‘JT’ (Thurston) knows Origin as well as anyone who has played at that level. But he has said he can’t commit to it.
“There’s also Kevin Walters. He’s the current Kangaroos coach and would have to give that up. You can’t be Kangaroos coach and Queensland coach in this day and age.
“The two that stand out are Ben Te’o and Matty Ballin.
“In the same breath, when you talk about someone like Matt Ballin, he’s got a fairly significant role with the Broncos and he’d have to relinquish that, as Matty King has had to do with the Roosters.”
Originally published as ‘Not the right thing for me’: Cameron Smith rules himself out of contention for Maroons job as new favourites emerge