Queensland coach Billy Slater left basking in his vindicated team for Origin 1
Maroons coach Billy Slater had plenty to say to his critics after Queensland justified his selections in a statement victory over the Blues.
Queensland coach Billy Slater had some choice words for his critics after he was vindicated for his team selections in Origin 1.
The call to drop Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai from the Maroons side resulted in terms like “disrespectful”, “selection crisis” and “loyalty out the window” being thrown around, mostly from those with a Sky Blue persuasion.
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The Queenslanders simply responded as they so often do, clicking as a team and rolling to a 26-18 Game 1 win that already has one Maroon hand on the shield once more.
The likes of Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow put in showstopping performances against a more settled, but ultimately outplayed NSW line-up.
“They were super, weren’t they?” a typically stoic Slater said of Tabuai-Fidow and Walsh post-match when asked about the criticism of his team.
“I think when you look at a number, and a lot of people just looked at seven changes from game three last year, you can really sensationalise a stat to set your narrative.
“We had Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi get Covid in the third game (last year), there’s two (changes).
“Jeremiah Nanai was suspended, Felise Kaufusi was suspended. So we’ve had players out. Josh Papalii retired.
“Hamiso was fantastic. When there was a big moment that Queensland needed, he pulled the trigger. Cameron Munster was great.
“And I thought the fullback as well, Reecey Walsh, he played really tough, he attacked the high ball and he was there when Queensland needed him, as well.”
It's what you do in the shadows that counts. Billy Slater picked his guy, don't doubt it.
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Brad Fittler’s team, playing in unfamiliar navy blue instead of the standard sky blue colours, still came into the match a narrow favourite with bookmakers.
They did take the lead twice in the second half, but the Queenslanders ran right over the top of them at Adelaide Oval, scoring two late tries while they had a man in the sin bin and others injured on the sideline.
“I’ve got mixed emotions about the game,” Slater said. “We didn’t play overly smart at times. “But when you lose your two backrowers in the first half, we finished with both our centres playing on the wing.
“To go after the game with less troops on the field and never give up, it was so much guts and determination from this team.
“Looking at it that way I’m really proud.”
The scary element for the Blues heading into Game 2, to be held at Suncorp Stadium no less, is Slater believes his side can get a lot better.
“There’s so much room for improvement and that’s probably the part of me that sits on the fence on the performance,” he said.
“But tonight’s not looking at the improvement, tonight’s just enjoying the courage this team showed.
“I look at all Queenslanders, I’m sure there’s 5.3 million Queenslanders sitting up there really proud of their footy team here tonight.
“This team is a real inspiration to our state and the people of our state. They love their footy team, the Queenslanders, and I’m sure they’re really proud of them tonight.”
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