After having him as a Storm teammate for the past 14 years, Cameron Smith admits he has been impressed with Billy Slater as a coach during the Maroons camp.
Slater was ruled out of this year’s State of Origin series through injury but has been part of the Queensland team as an assistant coach.
Watch the full Cameron Smith interview
With 27 games for the Maroons to his name, the champion fullback has plenty of knowledge to pass on, something Smith believes can only help the side ahead of tonight’s Game II at Suncorp.
“He’s been great, it’s just great to have experienced guys around camp and talking to the young guys,” Smith said.
“We’ve got some young outside backs in their in Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill, Dane (Gagai) is only playing his third game - so it’s great to have Billy there talking to them about what they need to do.
“He’s been doing a lot of work with our back five and trying to prepare them and have them ready for the kicking game of the Blues and how we need to defend their set structures.
“He’s been really good, he’s an intelligent footballer and he understands origin and what it’s all about.”
Queensland will be looking to seal their 10th Origin series win in 11 years when they take on NSW tonight.
