Billy Slater injury: Greg Inglis set to be installed as Queensland State of Origin fullback

BILLY Slater’s 2016 season has been wiped out by shoulder surgery. The Storm star’s setback will have huge ramifications for Queensland’s Origin campaign.

What Slater injury means for Maroons

GREG Inglis will be installed as Queensland’s fullback for Origin I amid revelations Storm custodian Billy Slater is set to be sidelined for six to eight months with a fresh shoulder injury.

Slater has undergone another bout of surgery on the shoulder he injured last season _ a scenario that has wipe out the Maroons ace’s 2016 campaign.

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The best case scenario is that Slater will return in September on the eve of the NRL finals. The worst case will see the Test flyer fail to return this season and cast doubts over his ability to return to the NRL in 2017 at the age of 33.

The Storm have confirmed Slater’s setback, and the veteran of 27 Origin matches will not feature in Queensland’s campaign this season.

Billy Slater’s 2016 season is in tatters following shoulder surgery.

That opens the door at fullback for Inglis, who only has to stay fit over the next eight weeks to wear the Maroons No. 1 jumper for Origin I at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on June 1.

Broncos fullback Darius Boyd has expressed a desire to replace Slater, but he will be retained on the flank, where he has scored 16 tries in 23 games for the Maroons.

The news comes as a crushing blow for the Storm, who will now turn to young gun Cameron Munster, serving a 12-month Origin ban, to perform backfield duties.

Such is the concern over Slater’s ability to return this season, Storm hierarchy are already scouring the marketplace for a centre to fill the backline void as Munster prepares to shift to fullback.

Greg Inglis only has to stay fit over the next eight weeks to wear the Maroons No. 1 jumper for Origin I. Picture: Peter Wallis

There is a view Slater should bite the bullet and retire after a decorated career including 278 NRL games, but the fullback maestro is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2017.

Maroons and Test fullback great Gary Belcher on Tuesday urged Slater not to pull the pin, insisting he could fight back to produce a memorable swan song next season.

“Billy should definitely not retire given the type of athlete that he is,” said Belcher, who played 15 Tests and 16 Origin games between 1986-93.

Billy Slater has played 27 Origins for Queensland. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“I’m sure the Melbourne Storm would give him the benefit of the doubt because I believe there is some miles left in his legs.

“He just has to get this shoulder problem right.

“Billy wouldn’t want this to happen to him twice, but sometimes time out can prolong your career.

“I have no doubt he would be raring to go next year, he looks after himself really well, he can make it back to the game.

“It’s a real shame, I really hope he fights back and plays again.”