With both Queensland and New South Wales’ Origin squads set to be announced at the conclusion of Round 12, Cameron Smith and Denan Kemp have named their ‘smokeys’ for state selection.
Speaking on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run, the pair discussed which young stars they’d pick despite them having no experience for their state.
Kemp brought up Manly’s Josh Schuster as a potential shock inclusion for the Blues.
Kemp: “My biggest smokey this year is a guy by the name of Josh Schuster, what are your thoughts?”
Smith: “Fantastic, I’ve really enjoyed watching him play over the last couple of weeks and it’s not just a role he’s been given to say, ‘Oh mate just plug this for us for a little bit, do your best’.
“He’s actually dominating some parts of the Manly attack, he’s creating tries left, right and centre … three score involvements last week, and he’s playing a dual role like a back-row and a sort of extra half on the field.
“I look at the way he’s playing as a young man, just starting his career, and he’s just silky. It seems like he’s got a mile of time whenever he’s got the ball in his hands.
“His ability to pass out the back, run short and pass the football, he wouldn’t look out of place.
“But do I think it’ll happen this year? I don’t think so.”
While Smith doesn’t expect Schuster to get a call up in 2021, he believes young Panther Matt Burton should be selected to his first New South Wales squad after spending the start of the season in reserve-grade.
Smith: “One smokey I want to toss up is probably (Matt) Burton.”
Kemp: “Matty Burton, another bloke playing out of position but playing really well.”
Smith: “Playing out of position, but scoring three tries on the weekend.”
Kemp: “I think he’s got the most tries out of any centre in the competition right now.”
Smith: “Well there you go, and it sort of adds fuel to the fire of what we were saying before about picking these Penrith players.
“I think at the very least, he’ll be included in the squad for New South Wales.
“If he’s not playing, he’ll be 18, 19 or 20th man.”
Both squads are expected to be announced before next Monday ahead of Game 1 on Wednesday, June 9 at the MCG.