Did Cameron Smith lash out because Issac Luke is better?

Cameron Smith of the Storm laughs as Issac Luke of the Rabbitohs looks on shortly after Smith kicked Luke in a tackle. Photo / Getty

Former Blues hooker Ben Elias has touted Kiwi Issac Luke as the best No. 9 in league and suggested that is why he copped a kicking from Kangaroos great and captain Cameron Smith.

Smith lashed out with his feet in a tackle during the Melbourne-South Sydney game, with Luke copping the brunt in his face. Queenslander Smith pleaded ignorance and escaped any penalty.

"Surely he has not been hearing whispers that Issac Luke is the best hooker in the world," Elias reckoned in the Daily Telegraph, on the eve of this year's opening State of Origin match.

"Surely he wasn't letting him know who the best hooker in the world is."

Elias described Smith as a "con artist" who wrapped referees around his finger, and said he was the best match manipulator since Wally Lewis.

"He charms referees...and credit to him, I say," said Elias, the Balmain icon who played 22 Origin matches and 14 tests.