Andrew Symonds' closest mate Jimmy breaks down in TV tribute

One of Andrew Symonds' best mates has fought back tears while paying a heartbreaking tribute to his former Queensland and Australian teammate.

The cricket world is still reeling from the shock death of the legendary all-rounder, 46, killed when his car veered off the road and rolled down an embankment near Townsville in Queensland's north on Saturday night.

Few people knew Symonds better than long-time good mate and former teammate Jimmy Maher. The pair first began playing cricket together in the under-10s in the nearby town of Charters Towers. 

Maher struggled to maintain his composure as he paid an emotional tribute on Tuesday morning.

'If he had your back, he always had your back, he was loyal,' he told the Today show.

'Far away from the cricket field, the things we shared are things I'll miss, family stuff and all those things.

'He's just a true friend.'

Today show co-host and good friend Karl Stefanovic quickly shut down the interview after Maher's outpouring of grief.

'Alright mate, I'm going to leave it there. Stay tough mate, you're doing a wonderful thing by the family Jimmy,' he told Maher. 

Maher admitted the last few days had been tough. He has travelled to Townsville to rally behind Symonds' shattered family, including wife Laura and their two young children.

'I know one thing if he was still with us, we'd be well and truly out on the boat by now as it's cracking weather up here this morning and he loved his fishing,' he said.

'Getting up here and getting off the plane, you're used to him being in the car and saying 'Mahbo, you're five minutes late' and I'd say 'mate, I didn't fly the plane.

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'That's the sort of bloke he was and it really hit