Cameron Munster and Harry Grant make call on who they'd love as Aussie coach
Fittler confirmed he was committed to his media roles and wasn't prepared to take on the Australian coaching role with the Ashes tour coming up at the end of the NRL season. Smith and Kevin Walters are now believed to be the leading candidates for the role, with the international schedule starting in October.
Smith already opened up about his interest in the role, but admitted he had similar reservations and would have to weigh-up the commitment. While Smith has not met with any Australian Rugby League official about the role, he has already received a glowing endorsement from some of the game's best players.
Smith is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game having played 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne. And Queensland and Kangaroos five-eighth Munster has praised his former Melbourne Storm captain as the right man to take over the job.
Smith considered one of the best minds in the game and Munster believes his ability to translate his knowledge onto the players would hold him in good stead for the coaching job. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen," Munster said in State of Origin camp.
"When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. There's no better person than Smithy to get the job."
One of Smith's best attributes as a player was reading the game as he controlled the game from the ruck. And Munster said there was a simplicity to his tactics that would help some of the game's elite players.
"He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done.
"If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually."
Current Storm No.9 Harry Grant was Smith's understudy for a number of years in Melbourne, before getting a chance to take over the role when his captain retired. And Grant feels Smith would elevate the game of players such as Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas when they learn off him in Kangaroos camp.
"He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him."
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While Smith is receiving plenty of praise from his former teammate. Walters also is reportedly in the race. One of the factors working against Smith is he has no experience as a head coach, but previously worked as an assistant to Billy Slater with the Queensland State of Origin team.
Walters has recently coach the Broncos having taken them to the 2023 NRL grand final. Althouttgh he was axed the following year after the Broncos failed to make the top eight. Both have media roles and would be expected to drop some of their commitments if they take the Australian coaching job.
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