ALWAYS OUR NO.1
INNISFAIL’S Billy Slater is ready to save Queensland’s State of Origin campaign as he prepares for his 30th match for the Maroons against NSW on Sunday.
Slater’s ‘D-Day’ came yesterday as he fought to prove his fitness ahead of Game Two, in what was a solid training session for the under-siege squad.
The most encouraging sight for Queenslanders was Slater, who turned 35 this week, in full-flight, seemingly not hampered by his ongoing hamstring injury.
Slater said he did not feel any pressure to deliver, but knew it was do-or-die in what will be his 30th Origin match.
“I’m confident in what I can bring to a team,” he said.
BILLY SLATER
QUEENSLAND fullback Billy Slater is ready to save the Origin series in his 30th match for the Maroons, while prop Dylan Napa took a significant step towards taking his place in the crucial clash with NSW on Sunday.
The duo faced their D-Day yesterday as they tried to prove to Maroons coaching and medical staff that they would be fit for Game Two, in what was a successful training session for the under-siege side.
The most heart-warming image for Queensland fans was Slater at full-flight, appearing to not be hampered by his ongoing hamstring injury.
And the Melbourne star confirmed he was confident he would be able to see out the rest of the week to play in the must-win match on Sunday.
The Maroons missed Slater’s presence in Game One and it was clear yesterday that the vocal No. 1 will bring plenty of composure to the side.
Slater said he did not feel any pressure to deliver, but knew it was do-or-die in what will be his 30th Origin match.
“I’m confident in what I can bring to a team,” he said.
“I won’t be bringing anything that I haven’t brought in the past. It’s my natural role to communicate and talk and set up plays.
“(Origin I) was difficult watching for all Queenslanders and I’m no different. We’ve got a challenge in front of us.
“We have to go down to Sydney, it’s not going to be easy. They’re a good team and they’re going to be a lot better for the experience of Game One.”
Slater, who turned 35 on Monday, admitted it was not ideal that he has not played since mid-May. But he said he knew how to prepare for such an important match.
“I understand what it takes to play a game, and an Origin for that matter,” he said.
“I’m pretty confident that I will be right. I’m training at 100 per cent now. I’m doing everything I can to train well and I struggle training anything under that anyway.”
Slater did take a few breaks from the training session yesterday, with bench utility Kalyn Ponga running at fullback while he rested.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters said at the Origin II team announcement that the returning Slater was the solution to the Maroons’ defensive and attacking woes.
Napa, meanwhile, trained strongly as he tried to prove his fitness after struggling with an ankle injury. Maroons officials will now wait to see how he feels this morning.
I’M TRAINING AT 100 PER CENT NOW. I’M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO TRAIN WELL AND I STRUGGLE TRAINING ANYTHING UNDER THAT ANYWAY.