Cronk’s inclusion crucial for Queensland, insists Smith

Queensland skipper Cameron Smith thinks that Cooper Cronk‘s presence in the Queensland side is vital to the Maroons’ chances of success in this year’s State of Origin series.

Origin I takes place at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, and Smith is delighted to be lining up alongside Cronk.

“He just knows our game plan really well,” Smith told reporters Down Under.

“He executes game plans, whereas Johnathan Thurston‘s a little bit different. He likes to play what’s in front of him and what presents itself in a defensive line.

“It’s good to have that guy, if things aren’t going right he knows how to fall back on structures, and he’s got a really strong kicking game as well, which you need in Origin, and we’ll be relying on that heavily on Wednesday.”