Cameron Smith drops retirement bombshell
Australia and Queensland captain Cameron Smith has shocked the rugby league world, retiring from all forms of representative football.
The 34-year-old called a press conference alongside Maroons Coach Kevin Walters, announcing his immediate retirement from both State of Origin and Test rugby league.
“Today I’m announcing my retirement from representative football as of right now,” Smith said.
The Dally M medalist said he started considering finishing up his representative career after Origin last year and coming to the final decision was a “lengthy process”.
“Last year, more than any other year, the Origin series in particular had an effect on me both physically and mentally.
“In 2017, I couldn’t quite manage to back up after any of those Origin matches.”
Smith has said in a “perfect world” he would’ve loved to play on for longer.
Smith has been a key factor in Queensland’s Origin dominance over the past decade, with the decision set to leave a gaping hole.
Fellow Maroons veterans Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk pulled the pin on their rep careers last year.
Click PLAY below to hear Smith’s statement