Queensland captain Cameron Smith and rookie Josh Papalii are Maroons odd-couple Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith flank rookie Origin player Josh Papalii at training for Wednesday's big game. MAROONS captain Cameron Smith has known Josh Papalii was something special since the Logan tearaway was an oversized seven-year-old skittling frightened defenders. In another reminder of how small the rugby league world is, Smith's family coached Papalii throughout his junior days at Logan Brothers. Smith even ran water to the hulking Queensland rookie during his team's under-13 grand final at Acacia Ridge. Smith's younger brother Matt, who also played for Melbourne Storm, was in Papalii's dominant junior team which was coached and managed by Smith's mum and dad. Nine years later, Smith and Papalii have become Queensland's odd couple. They hope their successful combination in junior teams will be replicated against the Blues in Wednesday night's decider at ANZ Stadium. "Mate, it is special," Smith said when asked about their bizarre journey to the Queensland team. I remember when he was, well maybe not small, but young. Even back then he was always a big guy. I knew him from the age of about seven. My dad coached him pretty much his whole junior career and he came through all the Logan grades with my brother Matt. When the Storm played the Broncos many years ago I was up here for the weekend and got out and ran water for their team in the grand final. To see him here now it is special. Papalii could not stop grinning when their bond was brought up. While Blues supporters questioned Papalii's Queensland status, it does not get more Maroon then being coached by the father of the Origin team captain. "To eventually play in the same team as him, it is a dream come true," Papalii said. I've known Cameron for years. Cameron's old man Wayne was the coach and his mum was the manager. Cameron actually came and ran the water for a couple of our grand finals that we made as kids. I played with Matty Smith I have many good memories with Cameron. Papalii was impressive in limited minutes during his debut Origin last month. Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston predicts a decorated career for the 21-year-old. Thurston was trampled by Papalii during North Queensland's loss to the Canberra Raiders last Sunday. I had nightmares of him. Thank goodness he's on my side (for Origin)," Thurston said. He has the potential to be a star in this arena. He has size, speed, power, footwork and he can hit. Once he realises how good he can be he will take his game to the next level. I hope he gets more minutes (on Wednesday). He could rattle some rib cages in the middle third for us.