Queensland hooker Cameron Smith shot down suggestions sending Darren Lockyer out a winner would be the zenith of Queensland’s half-decade of Origin dominance.
Smith said the inaugural victory of the Maroons’ record-breaking five series wins to date remained the highlight of his time in a Queensland jersey.
“One of the biggest occasions I have been involved in during these six series was the 2006 decider in Melbourne [won 16-14 by Queensland],” Smith said.
“We were down and out, we were looking at four series losses in a row.”
Ironically, Lockyer played a starring role in Queensland’s drought-breaking win, scoring the go-ahead try and claiming the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.
Smith joined the chorus of Maroon players who declared they wouldn’t approach the July 6 decider as a crusade for Lockyer.
“He is the type of guy who doesn’t want us to go out there and do it for him,” Smith said.
“At training he was looking strong.
“It’s Darren’s last game and possibly the same for Petero Civoniceva, it’s a big occasion.”
Civoniceva, rated as one of the nation's best props, has left the door open for further representative honours.
"I'm still enjoying the game, I'm still enjoying being part of the rep season," he said.
"There's a [Kangaroo] tour at the end of the year, if I'm lucky enough to go on that I'll make a decision afterward."
Meantime, Smith admitted the defending champions had to get their attack in order to give their legendary No. 6 the perfect send-off.
Queensland only scored eight points in the second game II defeat.
“We were a little one-dimensional and they [NSW] did a good job of making us do a lot of work,” Smith said.
“We didn’t really test them in the second half.
“We need to be a lot better with the ball, we have been a little bit off all series.”
Elsewhere in a busy day of rugby league:
□ The Penrith Panthers announced New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary would join the club from 2012 on a three-year deal.
□ The man Cleary will replace as full-time Panthers coach, Matt Elliott, will join the Sydney Roosters on the two-year deal as an assistant coach.
□ Matt Rogers will come out of retirement to help the Gold Coast Titans off the bottom of the ladder.
□ Former Melbourne centre Matt King will reunite with Greg Inglis in the centres at South Sydney next season after signing a two-year deal with the Rabbitohs.
□ The Newcastle Knights have beaten out the Dragons for the signature of three-quarter Wes Naiqama.
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