- May 21, 2013
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Cameron Smith to retire from Rep Footy - Immediately
- Thread starter Unbreakable
- Start date
- Apr 9, 2012
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- Mar 7, 2008
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This ♤
I'm 99% certain KW knew this was highly likely having had talks with Smithy previously. KW would have had his eye on the other hookers available and been prepared. Smith has spilled enough blood for us and it's okay with me on the timing. If I was really clever I'd know all about the private conversations had but sadly I'm not privy to that info. I'll get angry about important stuff instead.
I think a few people had started to have an idea. Kevvie met with the senior Storm/Qld guys at the Sofitel Sunday morning to talk Origin before they left for Melbourne and Smith pulled him aside then.
OXY-351
NRL Player
- Oct 1, 2008
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Ok, maybe the term "everyone" was over the top, but I still think he would have copped backlash for it no matter when he announced it.
And while it's only been publicly announced now, it sounds like Walters had pre-warning this was likely to be the case, either through direct conversations or picking up a few hints along the way. Both Walters and Meninga said they could see a change in Smith in recent rep camps and matches. Surely Walters was already making plans that Smith might not be there. It doesn't sound like Smith just rang him on Tuesday and said, "Hey Kevvie, how good is McCullough playing these days?".
I think the Thurston and Cronk situation is slightly different. Hadn't they already made their mind up before last years series? It sounds like Smith was unsure. He wanted to give himself as much time as possible, but ultimately knew he wasn't up for it now. I'd prefer him to have done that and possibly played in another series, than just pull the pin when he wasn't sure.
Sure it's not great timing, but what's the alternative? He plays again this series, has a stinker and lets the team down? Personally I feel that even Smith playing slightly below his best is still better than any other option QLD has got at the moment, but I can see why he'd call it a day if he thought he couldn't put in 100% for the team.
At the end of the day, I'm wondering if it really matters when he'd announced it. He could have announced it last year or he could have announced it this week. The problem is still the same. QLD need to find another hooker. Would there be any more candidates for the position, depending on when he announced it? Would any of them be in better form? It was always going to be an issue replacing Smith, whether you gave a year or 3 weeks to do it.
- Jan 25, 2014
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I feared we would lose the big 3 the way we have.
I wanted Cronk to stick around for one more series after JT retired to help our next generation of halves make the transition and Smith to stick around for the series after Cronk retired and help the next generation of hookers make the transition.
But unfortunately, that's not going to happen and I can see NSW going on a run for the next few years.
Hopefully QLD can pull a '95 and get up and beat NSW, but I can't see it happening.
I wanted Cronk to stick around for one more series after JT retired to help our next generation of halves make the transition and Smith to stick around for the series after Cronk retired and help the next generation of hookers make the transition.
But unfortunately, that's not going to happen and I can see NSW going on a run for the next few years.
Hopefully QLD can pull a '95 and get up and beat NSW, but I can't see it happening.
- Aug 27, 2008
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I seem to recall a time where if you played NRL and were eligible for rep teams, you had to play if chosen
"Retiring" just from rep footy simply wasn't something you could do
It seems quite common now so I guess it must be OK to do but I don't recall a change to the rules
I remember vaguely a stink about this when Jamie Lyon tried to not play when picked or something like that?
Perhaps he was the trigger for a rule change?
"Retiring" just from rep footy simply wasn't something you could do
It seems quite common now so I guess it must be OK to do but I don't recall a change to the rules
I remember vaguely a stink about this when Jamie Lyon tried to not play when picked or something like that?
Perhaps he was the trigger for a rule change?
tommy
International Rep
- Jun 5, 2015
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I think retiring from it was always fine, which is what Jamie Lyon did. You couldn't pick and choose which games you would play and which you wouldn't. You were either available for selection or retired for good.
- Jan 25, 2013
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I think it was okay to retire after many years of service and effectively just to give a season or two to your club rep-free. Lyon was just a soft POS that admitted he didn't want to play Origin because of the expectations of NSW fans. He hadn't paid his dues, which is why they sought to stand him down from club duties when Origin players were out. IIRC he ended up playing Origin one year and then after that the selectors just decided if he didn't want to be there he didn't deserve rep honours.
Broncs_Fan
NRL Player
- Jun 5, 2015
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Lyon was just one of those laid back country guys who didn't like the over the top hype of Origin. No one should be forced to play if they don't enjoy it.
- Jan 25, 2013
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Yeah like that time he told the Eels he was homesick, they granted a release, and he signed with the Super League. Salt of the earth that guy.
