Slater all but locked in
“Ah, there’s no secret I love playing for Queensland,’’ the fullback continues.
“But it’s up to the selectors now. Whether they think I’m the right person for the job.
“And if that opportunity does come, I’ll certainly be doing my best.”
And with that, it’s all of NSW who should be shaking.
For, undoubtedly, Billy the Kid will be at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday-week for the second instalment year’s Origin series.
It was a fact underlined by another strong performance against the Sharks on Thursday night.
Indeed, in a game billed as of this his Origin audition, Slater not only orchestrated the winning try, but busted tackles, continually threatened, even saved four tries himself.
Before the match, it was revealed Queensland coach Kevin Walters needed only a solid effort to recall Slater.
A headline that the fullback concedes, sheepishly, he heard.
“And once you hear that, you can’t unhear it,’’ he says.
“But I’m old enough, professional enough, to put it to one side.
“Plus, how selfish would I be coming into a game like this and thinking only of myself?”
Still, this past fortnight has been all about you Billy.
All of Queensland, plus a large chunk of NSW, discussing not only if you come back for Origin II, but how big your Homebush footprint will be.
“Oh, I know the talk is there,’’ Slater concedes. “It’s impossible to ignore.” So give us your thoughts on that initial snubbing then?
“As disappointed as I was,’’ he says, “I could still respect the decision they made.
“After the team was announced, I spoke with Kevvie, then had communication with (selector) Darren Lockyer too.
“It wasn’t tough because I respect those guys. And we all want the same thing too, all want Queensland to be successful.”