The man rated Queensland's greatest State of Origin leader - Wally Lewis - says Cameron Smith must now be considered for the accolade after the Maroons sealed a 10th series win in 11 years.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters hailed skipper Smith as the best leader he'd seen after Queensland clinched a 26-16 Origin II win at a sold out Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
But Lewis - who captained Queensland a record 30 times in his 31 Origins - went one better, saying Smith must be classed among the Maroons' all-time great generals.
"He will be regarded as one of the great leaders," Lewis told AAP.
"He always seems to have enormous time.
"That's the difference between the good and the great players - they are never in a hurry and never panic in any situation.
"And his leadership is great. He doesn't say a lot but when he does the players listen."
In a record 38th Origin, Smith savoured his fourth series win since taking over the Maroons captaincy in 2012.
Queensland will now chase their fifth series clean sweep after the Origin II win inspired by winger Dane Gagai's record equalling hat-trick.
"If there is a better person or captain that this country has seen then someone better identify them," Walters said of Smith.
"I've worked with some great people and captains, but this bloke is really something else.
"He is the best leader I've ever seen.
"Queensland have had some great leaders but none better than Cameron Smith."
Smith promptly returned the compliment, saying he was never in any doubt that Walters would be able to carry on Mal Meninga's winning legacy.
After just two games at the helm since taking over from the all conquering Meninga, Walters is savouring his maiden series triumph.
Walters wasn't Queensland's first choice as Meninga's successor - that was Paul Green, who turned down the opportunity to concentrate on North Queensland's NRL title defence.
But Smith said Walters proved to be the right choice.
"A lot of people were talking about the shoes he was stepping into with Mal, but none of the players ever thought he had to live up to what Mal was about as a coach," Smith said.
"He's his own coach and he's got his own style, and he's quite smart with his footy too.
"The one thing we all enjoy about Kevvie is his passion for our state and for this team.
"You can see that it means a lot to him to be the coach of this side.
"Any time a coach does that, the guys that run out onto the field have no second thoughts about who they're playing for."
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