Gold Coast Titans head of performance Mal Meninga claims he hasn't spoken to Cameron Smith as speculation that the legendary hooker will be joining the club reaches fever pitch.
Smith this week sent social media into a frenzy when he was pictured training at Firth Park on the Gold Coast, where he and his family relocated during the off-season.
Adding to that, the Titans are the one club out of the 16 in the NRL with enough money left under the salary cap for 2021 to accommodate a player of the calibre of Smith, with reports that the club still has up to $600,000.
However Meninga attempted to stop the links in his tracks today when he spoke to media at a Fox League launch.
He claimed not to have been in contact with the superstar, saying: "He's the hardest bloke to get hold of in the world."
Asked directly if Smith would be joining the Titans, Meninga described it as "the $550,000 question".
"Everyone assumes he's coming to the Titans. I haven't talked to him, he's not on the radar," Meninga continued.
"You should ask (Broncos coach) Kevvie (Walters) about Cameron so I don't have to answer these questions any more."
It's not the first time Meninga has been asked this summer about the prospect of Smith joining the Titans and he has consistently denied having been in contact with the 37-year-old.
He told the Courier-Mail: "I don't have any idea what Cam is doing. I don't know if he's retiring. I'm in the dark like everyone else. But I know he won't be at the Titans."
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell was also recently quizzed on the matter and was singing from the same hymn sheet as Meninga.
"Retention and recruitment is something we don't comment on, but we haven't had any discussions (with Smith)," Mitchell said.
"The start of the season's about three weeks away … It's never been looked at as an option.
"Media speculation around Cam coming to the club has been a wonderful PR campaign for us.
"We've got media exposure you couldn't buy so I have to be grateful for that. It's really good intent.
"The population and the fanbase and the media are very excited about the future for us so that speculation is endearing. We're very grateful."
Whether Smith is on their radar or not, the Titans are lapping up the attention and it's not likely to die down until Smith gives a public statement on his future.
It is now widely accepted, though still uncomfirmed, that Smith will not be at the Storm this season, leaving the only two options for him in 2021 retirement or a move to the Titans.
Smith could immediately take all the air out of the story by telling the world what he's doing. Until then all anyone can do is wait, watch and speculate.
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