Melbourne Storm great Cameron Smith will not play for Gold Coast Titans in the 2021 NRL season, according to Mal Meninga.
It remains to seen what the future holds for Smith, who is yet to publicly confirm his plans after guiding the Storm to premiership last year.
Out of contract following 18 years in Melbourne, Smith reportedly relocated to Queensland at the end of the season and the 37-year-old has been linked with the Titans as well as Brisbane Broncos.
With speculation mounting over Smith's status, his former State of Origin and Australia head coach Meninga – now head of performance and culture with the Titans – insisted the ex-Kangaroos skipper will not be moving to Gold Coast.
"I've not talked to Cameron. He's the hardest bloke to get hold of in the world," said Meninga.
"I've not spoken to him – not has anyone from the club.
"Everyone assumes he's coming to the Titans. I haven't talked to him, he's not on the radar.
"You should ask Kevvie [Broncos head coach Kevin Walters] about Cameron so I don't have to answer these questions anymore."
Broncos coach Walters could be an interested party were Smith to delay his retirement plans, but Meninga rubbished reports that emerged last week linking him with the Titans.
Meninga 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."
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