State of Origin 2021: Paul Green, Billy Slater battle to coach the Queensland Maroons

The Maroons are torn over whether to appoint Paul Green or Billy Slater as Queensland’s next Origin coach and a crucial ultimatum could prove the difference.

Billy Slater is a strong contender to coach Queensland.

The Queensland Rugby League remains at loggerheads over the next coach of the Maroons, with Paul Green’s grasp on the job slipping to a rising Billy Slater.

The QRL held a four-hour board meeting on Friday and could not reach a decision on who should replace Wayne Bennett as State of Origin coach.

Green has held multiple meetings in the past two months with QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher, managing director Rob Moore and director Darryl Van de Velde about taking over the Maroons for the 2021 series.

Former Cowboys coach Paul Green was the early favourite to replace Wayne Bennett as Queensland coach. Picture: Evan Morgan

However there has been a late push from a section of the board to give the job to Slater on a long-term contract to oversee the next generation of Queensland talent.

Slater has not pursued the job as such, but has been endorsed by league heavyweights Mal Meninga, Craig Bellamy, Cameron Smith and Bennett.

Hatcher’s initial idea was to appoint Green to the role on a one-year contract, with the belief the former Cowboys coach will secure a full-time NRL job in 2022.

But that plan has been challenged by other QRL directors and a decision may not be reached for some time.

“We had a very robust debate and there is further work to be done,” Hatcher said.

“We haven’t reached a decision. We want to make an appointment by the end of next month so we’ve got a lot of work to do.

“It’s been on the agenda for a while. We’ve got to work our way through things.”

Slater, 37, retired in 2018 and is regarded as one of the greatest ever fullbacks to have played the game.

He is known to have a sharp football mind, was meticulous with his preparation and made 31 Origin appearances for Queensland.

Slater is understood to only be interested in taking on the job for at least three years, which would give him time to nurture the emerging crop of Maroons which pulled off a remarkable series victory last year.

Green is also a former Maroons representative with an impressive coaching resume, including two Intrust Super Cup titles and the 2015 NRL premiership.

He was considered the logical choice to take over the job after being sacked by North Queensland last year, but must now stave off a late push for Slater.

GREEN OR SLATER? MAROONS SPLIT OVER NEW COACH

Paul Green and Billy Slater are on a collision course for the Maroons coaching job, with Queensland powerbrokers to decide on Friday who replaces Wayne Bennett in the Origin hot-seat.

The Queensland Rugby League board will hold its annual general meeting on Friday and is expected to have a fierce debate over the Maroons’ next leader.

With Bennett vacating the post after his fairytale 2020 cameo, QRL directors must decide on a replacement for this year’s mid-season series and beyond.

Green, the former Cowboys coach and 2015 NRL premiership-winner, was considered the frontrunner for the role and has the support of influential QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher. He has already been interviewed for the job by Hatcher and QRL managing director Robert Moore.

However sections of the QRL board are pushing for Slater to make a shock ascension to the Origin post immediately.

A former Maroons representative, Green, 48, has the runs on the board in a coaching sense, boasting an impressive resume of achievements at various levels.

Billy Slater (right) is highly regarded by the Maroons. Picture: Adam Head

But after being sacked by the Cowboys last year, Green still has aspirations to coach in the NRL again which has left some QRL directors nervous about his availability for the 2021 series.

If chosen, Green will have to guarantee the QRL he will see through the June-July series regardless of whether an NRL coaching job becomes available early in the season. If he cannot commit to that, then Slater will be in the box seat to become Queensland’s next Origin coach.

Slater, 37, played 31 Origin games for Queensland and is regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks in history.

He has a sensational football brain and is known to be a student of the game who prepared meticulously for matches.

Without any immediate desire to coach in the NRL, Slater is viewed as a potentially long-term appointment who could guide Queensland’s emerging generation of talent.

Green is being considered for a possible one-series appointment, with Slater to be groomed for the top job in 2022. But sections of the QRL want to rip the band-aid off and appoint Slater immediately to oversee a new era.

Maroons legend Wally Lewis said it was a difficult decision for the QRL to make.

“Greeny has displayed his worth in winning an NRL premiership which is the ultimate for every coach in the game,” he said.

“The Cowboys guys always said ‘Greeny’ was very determined and never too soft. He would always spend countless hours assessing situations.

Billy Slater would be a popular choice as Queensland coach.

“I’ve seen how committed and serious Billy is to the tasks at hand. For three times a year he would make sure he is well prepared.

“His achievements as a footballer indicate he is ready to perform at the highest level. It is one of the toughest jobs in the game to coach and win an Origin series.

“I was pretty happy with most of the decisions I made in the game but this is a decision I’m glad I’m not making.”

Slater has privately earned praise from influential figures in Mal Meninga, Craig Bellamy, Cameron Smith and Bennett which could prove decisive in the appointment.

Originally published as State of Origin 2021: Paul Green, Billy Slater battle to coach the Queensland Maroons