Australian Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith says he has no plans to retire from representative football at the end of the Rugby League World Cup, regardless of the result of next Saturday's final.
The Kangaroos are heavy favourites for that match after disposing of Fiji 54-6 on Friday night, running riot to cement themselves as the team to beat.
In what will be Smith's 56th appearance for the Kangaroos, Australia will return to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday December 2 to face the winner of England v Tonga in the final.
34-year-old Smith will be sitting three short of Darren Lockyer's record 59 Kangaroos appearances, and if what he says is true then it is a record that is well within reach.
"If we were to win then that's probably jumping the gun to say that would be the end for me," Smith told media after Australia's big win over the Bati.
"I'm still enjoying the game as much as I ever have. I don't know whether that's because I know I'm towards the end of my career.
"It's almost like when I first started, you play the game and just enjoy being out there. Maybe in the middle of your career you worry about your own performance a little too much, and you worry about results and too many things. Whereas right now I just thoroughly enjoy being out on the paddock training with my teammates.
"I enjoy being involved in the game, particularly the big matches. Whatever the result is next week, I haven't thought in my mind that that [result] will make a decision for me. Whatever happens, happens. I'll go away for eight weeks and enjoy my break and see what happens from there."
Saturday's final looms as unfinished business for Smith who was a member of the Australian side famously beaten on home soil at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
The New Zealand Kiwis ambushed the Kangaroos in the final of that tournament, recording a 34-20 victory that is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport.
Nine years later and Smith still mulls over that night, with the loss robbing him of the one achievement he is yet to earn in a decorated career – a World Cup victory at home.
But redemption is now in sight for Smith and his Australian teammates at the same venue that brought so much heartache.
"Without a doubt, winning a World Cup on home soil would be at the top of the tree as far as my Test career, no doubt," Smith said.
"It was one of the greatest feelings I've had, winning that World Cup in the UK [in 2013], but I think that would really match up against a win here on home soil.
"I had an opportunity once before in 2008 and we didn't get the job done that night. It would be nice to get a win next week, but we know that we need to play well, whoever we are playing.
"I don't really think about results, we don't really think about results. We think about our preparation and performance. If we play well then we're a chance."
