Home World Cup my final frontier: Smith
Nov 24, 2017 - 4:33 PM His World Cup may only be half full, but Cameron Smith is certainly optimistic of drinking out of a full one after the Kangaroos qualified for the final.Valentine Holmes bagged an historic six tries as Australia put a disappointing Fiji to the sword 54-6 on Friday to advance to a decider against either England or Tonga at Suncorp Stadium next week.
It will be a chance for Smith to put an eight-year ghost to bed after the Kangaroos were upset by New Zealand at the same venue in 2008, before reclaiming the crown in England in 2013.
Smith says victory would be the greatest achievement of his Test career so far.
"Without a doubt, winning a World Cup on home soil would be at the top of the tree as far as my Test career," Smith said.
"It was one of the greatest feelings that I've had winning that World Cup in the UK, but that wouldn't really match up against a win here on home soil.
"I had an opportunity once before in 2008 and we didn't get the job done that night so it'd be nice to be able to get a win next week."
In what has been a record-setting year, Smith broke yet another one on Friday when he appeared in his 16th World Cup match, the most in tournament history.
It was also the 34-year-old's 55th Test, taking him to within four of predecessor Darren Lockyer as the most-capped Kangaroos player.
Smith denied a World Cup triumph could lead to his retirement from representative football.
"If we were to win, that's probably jumping the gun to say that would be the end for me. I'm still enjoying the game as much as I ever had," he said.
"I know I'm towards the end of my career. It's almost like when I first started, you play the game and you just enjoy being out there.
"Maybe in the middle of your career you worry about your own performance a little bit too much and you worry about results and about too many things.
"Whereas right now I just thoroughly enjoy being out on the paddock training with my teammates, I enjoy being involved in the games, particularly the big matches.
"Whatever the result is next week, I haven't thought in my mind that'll make a decision for me. I go away for eight weeks and enjoy my break and see what happens from there."
Source: AAP
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