Someone get Cameron Smith a soap box.

Or alternatively a meeting with Sonny Bill Williams' shoulder on Friday night.

Where does Smith get off having a crack at the Kiwis for turning up late to a promotional event for the Rugby League World Cup?

The Melbourne Storm star has stepped squarely into line for a job on the International Rugby League board after he hangs his boots up.

"It's probably rude to the international game because we're trying to promote the World Cup and we feel it's important to keep trying to promote the international game," he said in reference to the Kiwis showing up late to a promo event at Sydney's Opera House.

"(They were) a little bit late. Stephen Kearney's first assignment as (New Zealand) coach, not too good."

I didn't realise Smith had become the hall monitor for the international rugby league – did you?

Maybe he should stick to playing – you have to admit he's pretty damn good at that – and leave the international diplomacy to the people who wear the suits.

Even better maybe he should have actually listened to his coach Ricky Stuart who tactfully steered clear of the issue altogether.

Stuart – who has been battling a raging feud with coaching legend Phil Gould in the media – also let slip that the event had to be scheduled at that specific time so the Aussies could go to their training session.

"The New Zealand boys were training and it's very difficult to fit it all in," Stuart said.

"It's a very short week and we have a lot of appearances, a lot of media and promotion of the game by the players and unfortunately it had to be on now because we have to go off to training as well.

"Just fitting it in and getting everybody at the one venue at the same time is difficult."

So it's not all as simple as Smith thinks is it?

I don't know about you but if it helps them win on Friday night I say let the Kiwis be as late as they want to these things.