Even Queensland great Darren Lockyer got the silent treatment from Maroons skipper Cameron Smith on Wednesday night.
But Smith let his actions do the talking after a difficult week to help inspire Queensland’s series clinching 52-6 State of Origin win at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.
Smith has been left reeling after copping scathing criticism from Alex McKinnon over his on-field behaviour following the tackle last year that left the ex-Knights forward in a wheelchair.
As a result Smith vowed to give Nine Network the cold shoulder in the fallout over their 60 Minutes report on McKinnon last weekend.
And it seems there were no exceptions.
Smith had plenty to talk about with Lockyer after equalling the Queensland great’s record of 36 Origins in the series decider in Brisbane.
But Smith had no time for Lockyer when the Maroons legend approached the milestone man for a halftime comment.
However, Smith had plenty to say on the field.
Smith has been dubbed “The Accountant” due to his less than intimidating physical presence.
However, the Maroons No.9 did not take a backward step from the outset after being shielded by the team in the lead-up.
The Queensland Origin camp were so protective of their skipper that media were told the Maroons would abandon their traditional pre-match team walk on Wednesday morning if Smith was approached for comment on McKinnon.
He may have kept a low profile ahead of the match following McKinnon’s criticism but his frustration appeared to boil over in just the eighth minute.
He lashed out with his foot at NSW prop Aaron Woods when held down in a tackle as Queensland received a penalty to lock up the scores at 2-2.
He then sprung into action when the ball went to ground with the Maroons on attack in the 15th minute, lobbing a cut out pass to give winger Dane Gagai his first Origin try.
Smith was in the action again when driven into the ground by Beau Scott in back play in the 31st minute, earning Queensland another penalty kick.
By fulltime, Smith was provided the perfect tonic after a difficult week with Queensland’s eight tries to one romp.
But the fallout looks set to continue.
Ex-Test half Matthew Johns slammed the Nine Network for not giving Smith a right of reply on 60 Minutes.
Johns also claimed there was unplayed on-field audio from a sympathetic Smith after McKinnon’s fateful tackle that was not used by 60 Minutes.
“To not give him a right of reply on something that was so sensitive, is so wrong, it was disgraceful,” Johns told Triple M radio.
Johns said the unplayed audio “showed Cameron in a much more sympathetic light” and by not using it “it became Cameron Smith vs Alex McKinnon – whose side are you on?”
