NRLs Billy Slater to lead Queensland in State of Origin despite never coaching a team before

Queensland rugby league champion Billy Slater has been confirmed as the Maroons’ new coach.

The ex-fullback will lead his state in the next two State of Origin campaigns in what will be his first senior coaching role since retiring in 2018.

‘This team means a lot to me. It always has,’ Slater said.

‘It has been a big part of my life for the majority of my life and now I get the opportunity to help other people, not only fulfil their dream, but inspire a whole state.’

Queensland rugby league champion Billy Slater has been confirmed as the Maroons’ new coach, replacing Paul Green on a two-year deal

The ex-fullback will lead his state in the next two State of Origin campaigns in what will be his first senior coaching role since retiring in 2018

Slater will replace Paul Green on a two year deal. Despite his inexperience, he was among the contenders before Green was named coach for the 2021 campaign. 

Green parted ways with the Maroons after this year’s 2-1 series loss. 

Queensland suffered heavy defeats in the first two Origin games before the Maroons avoided a series whitewash in a 20-18 win in the third match.

Covid-19 logistics, last-minute injuries and health scares as well as Ronaldo Mulitalo’s game-day withdrawal over eligibility concerns left QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher to proclaim Green endured ‘the most exceptional circumstances in the history of Origin’.

But they wanted a long-term coach and Green said, at least beyond next season, he couldn’t commit as he yearned another crack at an NRL title.

Green is on the market now and could be in the mix for the Wests Tigers gig with Michael Maguire under immense pressure following his side’s horror finish to the season. 

Slater was one of the key players in Queensland’s dominant Origin team of the 2000s.

The ex-Melbourne Storm star played 31 times for his state and played a key part in the Mal Meninga-coached team which won nine series in 10 years.

Despite his inexperience, Slater was among the contenders before Green was named coach for the 2021 campaign 

Slater’s assistants are not confirmed at this stage but fellow Origin greats Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston have been mentioned along with veteran coach Wayne Bennett

Slater’s assistants are not confirmed at this stage but fellow Origin greats Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston have been mentioned along with veteran coach Wayne Bennett.

The former Melbourne Storm champion emerged as a frontrunner for the Origin job despite the likely availability of Bennett.

Bennett, who is in his last season as South Sydney coach, briefly stepped back into the Origin cauldron in 2020 as Queensland stunned NSW to claim the series.

Slater has been a member of the Nine Network’s commentary team since retiring in 2018 and this week ruled out coaching at NRL level.

‘I don’t have an ambition to be an NRL coach, no,’ Slater told Sydney radio station 2GB. 

More to come 

Source: Daily Mail

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