Blues won't bring back the biff: Smith - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Blues won't bring back the biff: Smith

By Wayne Heming 19/05/2008 07:11:26 PM Comments (0)

Hooker Cameron Smith is confident his special night as captain of Queensland will not be marred by violence.

Former fiery halfback Tommy Raudonikis wants the Blues to re-activate the infamous "cattledog" call against Queensland in Wednesday night's State of Origin opener.

The call was first used by Raudonikis during Origin's wild days of the 1980s to start fights.

It hasn't been used since the 1997 when NSW halfback Andrew Johns and Queensland hooker Jamie Goddard came to blows during an all-in blue.

Raudonikis believes it's time NSW tested out the Queenslanders who are threatening a third straight series win.

"Some of you media are from the old school where you used to see the biff all the time," Smith said.

"I'm pretty sure Craig Bellamy won't want any of that on Wednesday night.

"He likes his team to be very disciplined and he wouldn't want his players to be giving away any cheap penalties.

"I'm quite certain he won't be telling his players to go out and intentionally put on a stink."

NSW have had a more intense build up under rookie coach Bellamy than Mal Meninga's Maroons.

But Smith said that was more Bellamy's influence.

"It's a different approach by NSW this year," said Smith.

"I always knew that's how they'd approach the game because I know the way Craig coaches.

"He's that style of coach. We know they're going to be well prepared, they've had their heads down and bums up getting ready.

"We've been in camp here for four or five days but the build up this time has been quite low-key to tell you the truth."

Smith will do his utmost to keep his emotions under control when he stands in for injured captain Darren Lockyer.

"It's pretty unbelievable really," he said on Monday as the Maroons prepared to move into enemy territory on Tuesday.

"I was pretty overjoyed when I found out I was captain, it's something I've always wanted to do since I was a young bloke.

"It hasn't sunk in but when we run out on Wednesday night it will hit me.

"Their certainly won't be any tears flowing but it will definitely be a proud moment and a night I want to enjoy."

Smith was cautious when asked if Karmichael Hunt could shift out into the backline during the game to get a breather from the heavy traffic directed his way or if things didn't quite go to plan for the makeshift five-eighth.

"That might be giving away a couple of secrets," he grinned.

"We do have a couple of options.

"Greg (Inglis) plays five-eighth for Melbourne every week so he could move in there and Karmichael could move out wide or we could bring Billy (Slater) up into first receivers or I could even slot in there or PJ (Marsh) as well.

"We've got some options there if things aren't working to change some positions around.

"That's a positive for us that NSW don't know what we're dishing up.

While NSW will target Hunt's inexperience at

five-eighth, Queensland will go after rookie Blues halfback Peter Wallace, seen by some as a possible weakness in his first Origin.

"There's no secret this is his first match and all debutants get a work over," said Smith.

"I'm not saying he's a weakness, he's a great player, but being his debut he's going to get some pressure put on him that's for sure."

Titans utility Ashley Harrison joined Queensland camp on Monday as the team's emergency 18th man.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news