Cameron Smith has been added to Billy Slater’s coaching staff for the 2022 series.

This will be Slater’s first season as head coach and will be assisted by Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Josh Hannay.

“Some people have this aura about them, and Cameron Smith is one of those people,” Slater said.

“He didn’t have to say a lot as captain of the Queensland State of Origin team, you felt it more than anything – you felt his presence.”