Retirement is still not on Cameron Smith's radar despite fellow NRL veteran and good mate Johnathan Thurston's decision to wind down his career.
Thurston will quit representative football at the end of this year in order to dedicate what looms as his final season with his NRL club North Queensland in 2018.
The end-of-year Rugby League World Cup is set to be 33-year-old Thurston's representative swansong.
Test and Queensland skipper Smith - also 33 - made his State of Origin debut two years earlier than Thurston in 2003, amassing a record 39 games in maroon.
However, Smith said Thurston's rep footy retirement had not made him reassess his own future.
The evergreen Smith did not rule out playing a few more seasons in a move that would ensure another record book entry.
Smith surpassed Maroons great Darren Lockyer's 36-game Origin game record this year.
The 335-game Storm veteran may soon have his sights set on eclipsing ex-Brisbane skipper Lockyer's NRL milestone for most matches - 355.
Asked if Thurston's rep retirement had made him think about his own future, Smith said: "Not really.
"It doesn't change my outlook on rep footy or my career.
"At the moment I feel good playing representative football and backing up for the club.
"I haven't put too much thought into it to be honest on whether I am going to finish up soon or I play on for a few more years."
Smith was not surprised by Thurston's rep footy call.
"It is John's decision. We have had discussions around that the last two seasons and what he has been thinking.
"It's his choice and I respect his decision.
"He wants to concentrate on Cowboys in 2018 and that is an admirable thing."
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