https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/bf1dff71c48a9da1b98313b6946497df
NSW coach Brad Fittler wants Ashes-winning captain Steve Smith to inspire Blues’ State of Origin campaign
DEAN RITCHIE, The Daily Telegraph
December 18, 2017 6:52pm
STEVE Smith has been the driving force behind pulverising the Poms but his greatest challenge might be just around the corner — inspiring a NSW series win over Queensland in next year’s State of Origin series.
New Blues coach Brad Fittler hasn’t yet contacted Smith but he’s seriously considering asking Australia’s Test captain to enter Blues camp next year for an inspirational team talk — and maybe play some backyard cricket, too.
Smith’s footy hero while growing up was NSW coach Brad Fittler.
Fittler is also the reason Smith, and Test opener David Warner, are passionate Roosters members.
Fittler is equally as impressed by Smith, who continued on his Test run rampage with 239 against England in Perth.
“One hundred per cent,” Fittler said about bringing Smith into the NSW fold. “I want to catch up with Steve Smith, definitely.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better to come down and say hello. He bats like a good footy player. It’s not so much clinical but he just gets the job done. He is competitive.
“It would actually be good to watch him bat. There may not be super messages but it would be great to watch him play cricket. Watch him strut his stuff.
“That would be very impressive. If he does come down I will make sure there is a bat and ball there.
“He has been super impressive over the last couple of years. He has taken the game back to the blokes I used to watch — the Waugh brothers, Allan Border. Very combative.
“Some blokes have this great style where they look like everything is so smooth and sweet but he just gets in there and gets it done.
“Even in the field, I like watching him. His mannerisms and all that.”
Smith talked about his admiration for Fittler two years ago. Speaking with Sporting News Australia, Smith said: “He was my favourite player growing up, so he got me on the Roosters bandwagon.”
Asked if he ever cheered for a rival Sydney club, Smith said: “No, not really. That was it (the Fittler lure). I’m set for life.”
Fittler and Smith have met before.
“Watching him over the last couple of years, how he has grown, it’s been incredible,” Fittler said. “I have met him a couple of times but I don’t know him very well.
“He plays the player. He is competing against the player. That is what shines through and that’s why they have come good again.
“There’s no talk, it’s sport and beating the player.
“When I was coaching the Roosters, we used to play a cricket game against Easts and him and Warner used to play. Warner is a Roosters man, too.”
While overseas playing, Warner often tweets: “Go the Roosters!!!!”
But Warner’s wife, Candice, is a mad-keen South Sydney supporter.