Slater reclaims No. 1 jumper
BILLY Slater’s comeback is complete with the Storm sensation to regain the Kangaroos fullback duties from Darius Boyd.
Slater will don the green and gold No. 1 jersey for the first time in more than three years in Australia’s World Cup opener against England on October 27 at AAMI Park.
Slater’s last appearance for Australia was in the 2014 Anzac Test before a series of shoulder injuries threatened to end his career.
The 34- year- old fought back from the brink to star in Melbourne’s premiership this season, claiming the Clive Churchill Medal in last Sunday’s grand final victory against the Cowboys.
And his fairytale story is complete, with Slater to reclaim the No. 1 jersey he has worn in all of his 25 Test appearances.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga confirmed Slater was his first- choice fullback for the tournament.
“Billy Slater is obviously the standout,” he said.
“He’s made a comeback.
“We’ve got Darius Boyd who’s played a number of games on the left wing for Australia and Queensland.
“We’ve got a great array of fullbacks playing in our competition at the moment. remarkable
“We’ve got the Clive Churchill Medallist in Billy Slater who had a terrific Origin series. We’ve got the incumbent Darius Boyd who’s never lost a Test match.
“It’s such a difficult decision. In the end it came down to our versatility.
“Unfortunately, James ( Tedesco) misses out to Tom ( Trbojevic), Dane Gagai and Val Holmes who are playing fullback at their clubs.”
Boyd played fullback for Australia at last year’s Four Nations tournament and was man of the match in the final.
The Broncos captain retained the duties for this year’s Anzac Test and Game One of the Origin series before Slater returned to the representative arena.
Boyd battled a hamstring injury throughout Brisbane’s NRL finals campaign but Meninga said the 23- Test veteran was expected to be available for the tournament.