Slater’s tenacity fits bill for the Maroons
Queensland calls on favourite son to stop Blues
BILLY Slater will launch his Origin coaching career next season after answering an SOS from the Queensland Rugby League to spearhead the Maroons’ fightback.
The QRL have got their man with Slater inking a twoyear deal to coach the Maroons until the end of 2023 in the plan to bring down the NSW dynasty being constructed by his Blues rival Brad Fittler.
The QRL will formally announce Slater as Paul Green’s successor on Friday morning in the lead-up to the ManlySouths NRL preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium.
It’s understood Slater is yet to finalise his team of assistants, although he would have support from QRL powerbrokers for fellow Storm legend Cameron Smith to return to Camp Maroon for a coaching cameo.
The QRL is also exploring whether to install a senior mentor for Slater, with Wayne Bennett touted as one option after the ARL Commission blocked Australia coach Mal Meninga helping the Maroons.
The one certainty is Slater is locked in to make his Queensland coaching debut.
The 38-year-old is one of Queensland’s greatest players, amassing 31 games during a stellar 14-year Origin career, and was a key member of the mighty Maroons dynasty which won a record nine series in 10 years under Meninga.
Now the QRL is hoping Slater can parlay his brilliance as Queensland’s greatest fullback to the coaching sphere as the Maroons look to hit back following three series losses in four campaigns.
Slater’s media employer Channel 9, which also has Fittler on its books, has given the green light for the Storm icon to coach the Maroons.
On Monday, Slater made it clear he had no desire to become a full-time NRL coach but believes he can succeed in the Origin arena after playing a mentoring role in his twilight years at the Storm.
“I coach now to a degree,” Slater told Sydney radio station 2GB.
“I am still involved with the Melbourne Storm and I have been since I retired. I have coached individuals.
“When you are a player at the back end of your career, you are always a coach in and amongst your team.
“Your players do a lot of coaching these days and they have a lot to say about how you play and what you want to do.
“So there are different ways to coach. You look at Craig Bellamy to Wayne Bennett to Ivan Cleary, I’m sure they have different philosophies on coaching.”
The former Test fullback has worked with Maroons stars in recent years and the group valued his tactical knowledge garnered during a decorated 319-game, premiership-winning NRL career. He is known for his work ethic and forensic analysis and the fierce competitor in him will relish the prospect of bringing down the Blues.
Asked if he is ready, Slater said: “In terms of being ready, when are you ready? Are you ready to play in a final?
“Are you ready to play State of Origin? You know when you get there.”