Billy Slater has finalised his coaching panel for Queensland's State of Origin series in 2022, bringing Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston in to help the Maroons win back the shield.
The Queensland Rugby League announced the new coaching panel on Tuesday, with Smith and Thurston joining Slater as assistants.
Slater had already announced former Maroons player and assistant coach Josh Hannay as his first assistant last year.
Nate Myles and Allan Langer will also be part of the Queensland support team.
Thurston played a part in Queensland's 2021 Origin preparations, but this will be the first time Smith will be involved in a coaching capacity since finishing his representative rugby league career in 2017.
"If you look at what he brought as a player and a leader, I think that’s also what he can bring as a member of the coaching staff,” Slater said about Smith, who played an Origin-record 42 times for Queensland.
“Some people have this aura about them, and Cameron Smith is one of those people.
“He didn’t have to say a lot as captain of the Queensland State of Origin team, you felt it more than anything … you felt his presence.”
Slater also welcomed Thurston — the points record holder for State of Origin with 220 — who he described as the "ultimate Origin competitor".
"We saw all the brilliant stuff that Johnathan brought to the game, but for me it was the work ethic that he demanded from himself, which in turn he demanded from his teammates,” Slater said.
"Obviously, his skills and vision of the game, understanding the balance of when to pull the trigger and when to play the percentage play, that was where he excelled in the big games.
“His last moment in Origin was kicking that pressure goal [in Game II of 2017]. I just think he’s a valuable asset, not just with the coaching staff, but the players in particular.”
Smith said he was “chuffed by the opportunity” to join the Maroons camp.
"It's a jersey and a team that I'm extremely proud of and passionate about," Smith said.
"But I'm also passionate about Queensland people and our state and making sure that they feel success, and that they can be proud of their football side when we represent them.
"It's not about anything else, other than trying to help people be better through my knowledge, through my experiences, and if I can make a small difference, I'll be happy."
Thurston said it was "humbling" when Slater asked him to help with the team.
"He [Slater] was in camp a couple of times when I was doing some video sessions with the team and he was saying he was quite impressed with what I had to say.
"He's given me some roles he wants me to concentrate on for this year's series. Bill's attention to detail is second to none, and that’s been the way he has played the game and that's the way he’ll coach the side."
