Queensland legend Cameron Smith has officially ruled himself out of the race for the Maroons coaching role for State of Origin in 2027.
The Sunshine State is on the hunt for a new coach following Billy Slater's shock decision to step down from the role after his successful tenure.
Slater won three out of five series he was at the helm, but found himself on the losing end this year, when the NSW Blues marched up to Suncorp Stadium in the decider and came away with the shield, which is no simple task.
Many speculated Smith, who is the most-capped Maroons player of all time with 42 appearances, would be the natural man to step up and lead those north of the border through rugby league's gladiator arena.
Although the 430-NRL game superstar says the role isn't right for him right now.
“I don't think so,” Smith said on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday.
“I've heard comments from Wayne Bennett (endorsing Smith), and I really appreciate the sentiments … but it's not the role for me at this current time.
“I was lucky enough to be involved in the camp with the players and Billy when he started. There was a reason why I stepped away after 2023, because I couldn't fully commit to the role. At that point in time, it was as assistant coach.
“Nothing in my life at this point has changed. I haven't really thought about it that deeply. We were all fairly surprised that Billy made the decision to stand down.
“At this point in time in my life, it's not the right thing for me and my family.”
With Smith making his thoughts clear, the role is most likely going to fall into the lap of one of the assistant coaches, Ben Te'o or Matt Ballin.
Te'o ran the Brisbane Broncos' defensive structures during their 2025 premiership run, but left the role in March this year following a falling-out with Michael Maguire.
He joined Slater's staff this series, and his highly respected among players and other coaches in the game, and is touted as the next rookie coach to break through into the NRL competition.
“He's an aspiring coach ... if I had to put someone right there right now, I think I'd be going with Ben Te'o,” Maroons great Corey Parker told SEN Radio.
Ballin has also been spoken about as a future NRL coach, and recently put his hand up for the vacant coaching role of his former club, the Manly Sea Eagles, before it was given to interim Kieran Foran.
Balin played one match for the Maroons in 2010, and has been an understudy to Slater for the past three years in the representative arena, while also working with Maguire at the Broncos.
Two rookie coaches are set to go to battle for the 2027 Origin series, with Blues assistant Matt King being promoted to head coaching role following Laurie Daley stepping down from his position in early August.
The Maroons will host Game 1 next year, before a historic New Zealand fixture for the second match, while Sydney's Accor Stadium will host the decider.
