Billy Slater is out State of Origin I after suffering hamstring injury at training
BILLY Slater is out of Origin I with a hamstring injury but have no shortage of options when it comes to filling the void.
Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
QUEENSLAND’S State of Origin hopes have been rocked by news that champion fullback Billy Slater is out of Origin I with a hamstring injury.
The Daily Telegraph understands Morgan will move to fullback to replace Slater and Kalyn Ponga will be named on the bench.
Ponga and Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford travelled on Monday afternoon with the Maroons aiming to keep their options open.
MONDAY BUZZ: Don’t ruin Origin
DANGER SPOTS: Where the Blues are vulnerable
“I didn’t pull up as well as I would have liked after our training run on Sunday, and because I’m not 100 per cent, it’s in my best interests as well as the team’s to withdraw from Wednesday’s game,” Slater said in a statement on Monday.
It’s a huge blow for the Maroons who already have to cope without Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk this year.
The series opener will mark the first time since Game II 2003 that Queensland will be without one of their famous quartet of Slater, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
“We knew we had some concerns with Billy, but he’s a champion player and we needed to give him every chance to play,” Walters said.
“We’ve had plans in place to cover Billy if he didn’t come up right, and we’ve actioned that today with Anthony and Kalyn coming in.”
Reports Billy Slater re-injured his hamstring yesterday at training & is in doubt for Origin 1. If confirmed almost no chance he plays, especially as it is a re-injury. Even if only a minor hamstring strain Slater would require at least 7-10 days recovery
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 4, 2018
News of Slater’s withdrawal follow days after he announced he would retire from representative duties at the end of the 2018 Origin series.
“It’s been a hell of a ride representing my state and country for more than a decade,” Slater said last week after the retirement announcement.
“I feel privileged and grateful to have been given this opportunity.
“Last year’s World Cup final was my last time playing for Kangaroos and this year’s State of Origin series will be my last for the Maroons.”
QUEENSLAND’S OPTIONS
Option 1: Kalyn Ponga or Moses Mbye debut at fullback in relief of Slater.
Option 2: Michael Morgan moves to fullback with Anthony Milford, Moses Mbye or Kalyn Ponga replacing Morgan on the bench.
Option 3: Cameron Munster switches to fullback and Michael Morgan or Anthony Milford starts at five-eighth.
Option 4: Greg Inglis moves to fullback, Michael Morgan starts at centre and Milford, Mbye or Ponga comes in on the bench.