QRL boss Ben Ikin guarantees Billy Slater’s Origin coaching job in 2026, but history is not as kind

QRL boss Ben Ikin has assured Billy Slater he will be Maroons coach in 2026 even if Queensland lose back-to-back series. The same can’t be said for the series-losing coaches that have come before him.

Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin has torpedoed speculation Billy Slater could resign if the Maroons coach crashes to back-to-back series defeats in Origin II on Wednesday night.

Slater celebrates his 42nd birthday on the day of Game Two in Perth and Ikin has declared the Queensland legend is going nowhere as he comes under fire from NSW duo Aaron Woods and Phil Gould.

Slater is under mounting pressure to reignite Queensland with the Blues buoyant after three consecutive wins _ and just one more victory away from a second consecutive title in the return bout in Perth.

After back-to-back series wins in his first two years in charge, Slater has gone from Origin super coach to a Maroons mentor searching for urgent answers to keep Queensland alive at Optus Stadium.

Billy Slater is contracted to coach Queensland next year. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Historically, Queensland coaches do not survive back-to-back series collapses.

Five mentors have severed ties with the Maroons after consecutive series setbacks, including Wally Lewis (1993-94), Mark Murray (1999-2000), Michael Hagan (2004-05) and Kevin Walters (2018-19).

Even the legendary Paul Vautin, who inspired an epic 3-0 win with his ‘Neville Nobodies’ heroes of 1995, tendered his resignation after NSW hit back with series wins in 1996-97.

But Ikin insists Slater will not be a victim of any second series loss syndrome.

Slater inked a three-year extension with the QRL in 2023, securing him to the Maroons until the end of 2026, and Ikin is adamant the Origin fullback legend is committed to the Queensland cause.

Ben Ikin is confident Slater will still be in the role in 2026. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Billy has a three-year contract and he will be coaching the Maroons next year because he is contracted to coach the Maroons next year,” Ikin said.

“I spent time with Billy at the fan day in Gympie (last Tuesday) and he is locked in.

“He has made some courageous decisions (with his Origin II selections) but he believes in them and he believes in this team.

“He leaves no stone unturned in how he selects that team, how he prepares that team and that is evident with anyone who spends time around him.

“He is very committed to the job.”

Slater cut a forlorn figure after Queensland’s 18-6 loss in Game One, raising concerns over whether the job was taking a toll on the code’s greatest fullback.

The 41-year-old father of two has a gruelling schedule, juggling the demands of coaching State of Origin with family, media and horse-breeding commitments.

Wally Lewis was sacked as Maroons coach after losses in 1993-94.

Gould, NSW’s greatest coach, has questioned Slater’s decision to axe skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, while Woods has labelled the Maroons coach a “grub” and claims he may not be in charge in 2026.

But Ikin says the Blues doomsayers are of no concern to a 31-game Maroons legend who is committed to Queensland’s Origin program.

“All those head-coaching jobs now are difficult,” Ikin said.

“Origin is short and intense and you have to get a whole lot right in a very short period.

“Everything I have had to do with Billy since I came into this role and everything I know about him as a player gives me great faith in terms of his work ethic and deliberate preparation.

“Making decisions on purpose … that is something Billy does well.

“I just hope all these decisions he has made (in selecting Queensland’s Origin II side) and why he has made them, which is an extension of what he sees and believes, line up for him and we get the right result.”

Mark Murray (R) lost consecutive series in 1999-2000. Picture: David Kapernick

Maroons hooker Harry Grant says Slater is not hitting the panic button in his bid to avoid a fourth-consecutive Origin loss.

“Billy has been good,” he said.

“You take so much confidence out of your staff and what we have created over the last few years.

“There’s a lot of trust there and it’s up to us now to perform.

“Billy prepares us the best he can and that’s world class, so for us it’s about finishing the week off and paying that back by performing for Bill and everyone else in Queensland.”