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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 93,00.html

Queensland hooker Cameron Smith pulls out of Origin I

May 22, 2010 Hooker Cameron Smith has pulled the pin on his brave bid to play for Queensland in Wednesday night's State of Origin against New South Wales in Sydney.

It's understood Smith, who has been receiving intensive physio for a dislocated elbow suffered playing for Australia against the Kiwis earlier this month, underwent a private fitness test at the team's Sunshine Coast base.

Team physio Scott Thornton broke the news that Smith was out before the Maroons took part in an opposed training run against the Sunshine Coast team at the Hyatt Regency resort.

It is expected Manly hooker Matt Ballin will now make his Origin debut as hooker in Smith's place.

Smith had been keen to play his 20th successive Origin but decided after testing his elbow with some heavy contact work that the risk would be too great.

Ballin has been in camp with the Maroons since Tuesday and has taken part in every training session to prepare him for his debut.

The decision was made early to give Ballin time to get used to the dummy half job which involves calling many of the plays for halves Darren Lockyer and Jonathan Thurston





in a way im happy cause i dont want him to get more injured so he cant play for us but i also think he may have just handed a win to NSW

Ah a really shame for Cam... bet Blairy's feeling a bit s*house about it!

Good luck to Matt as he represents.  Go Maroons!

Ballin is a more than adequate replacement. As I said elsehwere, he's the form hooker in the NRL at the moment. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with the Dally M Hooker of the Year award...

I don't rate Ballin that highly, I would of went with Friend.

bula wrote: I don't rate Ballin that highly, I would of went with Friend.

Same.. Friend is a heaps better player

Smith, Friend, Ballin? Does it really matter? They all shit all over the best the Blues can put on the park!

Nah I'd pick Ennis over those 2. But we will still win  :D

I love Cooper wrote: Nah I'd pick Ennis over those 2. But we will still win  :D

To bad Ennis is wearing blue,but Ballin will do the job admirably and if he goes shit Slater
or Cronk will take his position on the field

I always wonder when people say "He's the form *** of the NRL"
State of Origin is NOT a home / away fixture.
Let's just wait & see if Ballin can perform under a different type of intense pressure.

Yeah I know Ennis is a Blue but I meant it in terms of who is better.

Ballin will be fine. He's been in those induction camp things before with Mal. Really happy with the Qld side.

Friend is heaps better! Much more honest than Ballin and a harder worker all around the park.

Ballin is cocky and will ALWAYS live in Cams shadow. He is an Orford type player who will always live in the shadow of a better player!

And he plays for those SCUMBAG Eagles!

Friend does have the experience of playing with Cronk and Slater.

But hey, I support NSW so I dont care.

I just hope he's ready to play for the Storm on Sunday....
No need to say I am a Victorian

Besides it will mean one less Storm player being abused by opposition fans.

Im kinda happy he gets to spend some time with Smith
his only played 80 minutes since round 3

Im at a loss however why ud have a backup halfback?
is he going to hooker at 50-60 minutes or?

The Eagle wrote: Im kinda happy he gets to spend some time with Smith
his only played 80 minutes since round 3

Im at a loss however why ud have a backup halfback?
is he going to hooker at 50-60 minutes or?

Cronk stated out 5/8 and Centre in the Storm FG squad.

Shows you don't know too much past a couple of years.