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Sport Nation
Important SN update for Southland'Perfect': Fletcher and Caine back Smith for Kangaroos coach
Sam Kosack • July 2nd, 2025 8:00 am
NRL Hall of Famer Cameron Smith has emerged as the favourite for the vacant Australian coaching job after former NSW coach Brad Fittler pulled out of the race to fill the role.
Fittler was widely seen as the favourite to replace Mal Meninga after coaching NSW in State of Origin for six seasons and the PM's XIII in 2024.
However, Fittler rejected the chance to become Kangaroos coach, saying he didn’t believe he could do the role “justice” along with his media commitments.
This leaves Cameron Smith as the man in prime position to fill the role.
Smith, who is the only player to play 400 NRL games and is seen by many as an immortal in waiting, said he would be "keen" to have a conversation with the NRL about the role.
Having previously played 56 tests for Australia, the second most of all time, and won two World Cups as captain, SEN’s Bryan Fletcher believes Smith is the a great candidate to take over the role.
“He was a gun player,” Fletcher said on SEN 1170 Drive.
“By all reports he was doing a lot of coaching while he was still playing.
“He's got the right temperament, I think he'd be perfect.”
SEN 1170 Drive co-host Joel Caine also believes Smith is an ideal replacement for Meninga, who stepped away to take over as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears.
“I totally agree (with Fletcher),” Caine added.
“I would have loved Freddy (Fittler) to do it, but in the absence of Freddy, (Smith is) perfect.
“Absolutely perfect.”
Smith has previously acted as assistant coach for the Queensland Maroons, whom he played 46 matches for and won 11 series with, under Billy Slater in 2022 and 2023 before he stepped away in 2024.
