Look to Billy – you’ll know what’s at stake

PLAYING with special players, you understand why they’re so good.

People think it’s just talent alone, but it comes down to how much you want to dig in and get the best out of yourself.

Billy Slater has been able to do that through his work ethic. He was always trying to develop his game, get better and better.

You see how much work they do in their recovery.

I remember a few times when Billy was under an injury cloud and he’d be up all night icing his leg just to try and make sure he was there for the team.

We saw that in Origin II – he hadn’t played in six weeks but came out and was outstanding.

Billy’s one of those guys I really looked forward to playing with. I liked to bounce across the field and always knew he was going to be up the middle – a head who can take control of our kicks, put them in the corner and make the Blues work the ball out that much harder.

He’s been benched, but I’m sure Ben Hunt will get his time again.

You can’t just replace a Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, or Johnathan Thurston. Fans are used to having success, but we are dealing with different players and different combinations.

People have to understand it takes time for them to gel.

Jarrod Wallace is another who has copped some heat.

He’s just got to make sure he doesn’t play the game too early in his head and that he really rips in, which is what we’ve always known him to do.

And if the players are tired, all they’ve got to do is look around and see Billy, see the crowd, and they’ll know what’s at stake.

little combination we built over a long time playing for Queensland. But what makes Billy a true champion is the way he also motivates others – the way he trains, the way he talks. That’s his best quality. It’s a shame Greg Inglis can’t be out there,...