Greg Inglis and Boyd Cordner have firmed as the likely front-runners to be the next Kangaroos captain after Cameron Smith's shock representative retirement.
Smith's decision to walk away from representative football has opened up a number of gaps in both the Queensland and Australian squads.
The Melbourne hooker hasn't missed a game for either team since he took over the captaincy from Darren Lockyer at the start of 2012, meaning a true replacement as captain or hooker has never been clear.
NSW captain Boyd Cordner was Smith's vice-captain during last year's World Cup, while Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga threw Inglis' hat in the ring on Tuesday night by suggesting he could take over Smith's role at Queensland.
"I can see Greg doing it. I can see Billy Slater doing it," Meninga told Fox League's NRL 360.
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"Those guys, when you get into that sort of arena, they're already club captains -- certainly Greg's a club captain, and Darius Boyd's a club captain and Matt Scott helps captain the Cowboys.
"I think Greg's a natural captain as well, he's had a lot of experience, he's won premierships and he's been part of that arena for such a long time.
"I reckon he'd been honoured with it."
Australia aren't due to play again until October's end-of-year Test against New Zealand currently scheduled for Auckland.
However when they do, it will be a new-look side without both Smith and Cooper Cronk at halfback who played in last year's World Cup.
Adding to the hooking question is the fact that the No.9 jersey if unclear for both NSW and Queensland heading into this year's Origin series.
Cameron McInnes and Damien Cook are shooting it out for the Blues, while Andrew McCullough, Jake Granville and Jake Friend are the likely contenders for the Maroons.
Meninga also ruled out the possibility of St George Illawarra playmaker Ben Hunt playing at dummy-half, despite having been selected as a back-up there for Australia in the past.
"I think it's got to be a genuine No.9," Meninga said.
"For me, it's see what NSW pick and see what Queensland pick.
"I believe the Origin series is a natural progression to whoever gets picked in the Australian side."
Meanwhile, Meninga said he had noticed a change in Smith during last year's World Cup, which in hindsight was a signal of his retirement before the 34-year-old informed him on Monday.
"It wasn't the Cameron Smith that I generally mix with (during the World Cup)," Meninga said.
"He was very sombre and very quiet. He went home a lot through the series, missed (wife) Barb and the kids.
"He was very focused on it all. We generally have a bit of fun in those camps and Smithy was reluctant to do those kinds of things ... It's a sad day for rugby league."
