Billy Slater irked in tense journo exchange after Queensland selection bomb

There was one particular question that irked Billy Slater as the Queensland coach explained his controversial selection gamble.

Billy Slater was in a friendly mood as he spoke with pride about his team selected for the State of Origin series opener — but there was one moment that had the Queensland coach bristling.

The Melbourne Storm legend was in no mood to answer a question about the struggles of Queensland-based NRL clubs this season and was blunt with one reporter during his Monday morning press conference.

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The 41-year-old dropped a selection bomb in naming three Origin debutants, including Roosters rookie Robert Toia, for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.

Slater was last year involved in several feisty exchanges with reporters as NSW came back from 1-0 down in the series to win back the State of Origin Shield under former coach Michael Maguire.

Straight-shooting coach Slater was back at it again on Monday with one reporter given a lesson.

The reporter first asked: “Bill, at the weekend, all four Queensland teams lost. And of course only one Queensland team is in the top eight and that’s the Cowboys.

“So how important can this camp be for getting the mindset right for some of those players who have had losing records this year in the NRL?”

You can watch the tense exchange in the video player above.

Billy Slater shook his head. Photo: Fox Sports News.

Billy Slater wasn't keen on the question. Photo: Fox Sports News.

Slater responded: “Yeah, they’re not all filled with Queenslanders though. And they’re not all coached by Queenslanders. So I know they are located in Queensland, but a lot of Queenslanders play for other clubs too.

“We’ve got players flying from Melbourne. We’ve got players flying from Sydney. So they’re coming from all different areas. There’s only one Bronco in the team, which I don’t know if I’ve seen for a long time.

“Queenslanders are flushed throughout the NRL. They’re not just in the Queensland clubs.”

The reporter didn’t let that be the end of it.

“Is that concerning for you there’s only one Bronco,” the reporter asked.

“We talk about some of the great Queensland sides there were 10 or eleven (Broncos players) in the side at times.”

Slater replied: “Not for me. Why would it be a concern?”

After one more interruption, Slater said: “There’s a lot of Queenslanders throughout the whole NRL. I don’t think there’s any less Queenslanders in the NRL just because the Queensland-based teams aren’t playing well.”

Slater was much happier to talk about the rest of his squad.

While the selection of 10-gamer Toia was the biggest surprise, Slater has also rolled the dice on debutants Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero.

Valentine Holmes has been shifted to the wing after Taulagi was ruled out, with Toia brought in to handle the dangerous Latrell Mitchell.

Slater would have undoubtedly been impressed by how the 20-year-old handled the devastating ball runner when the Rabbitohs and Roosters met in Round 5 and is banking on him being able to keep Mitchell quiet in Game 1.

Meanwhile, Fermor gets his chance in Maroon after a standout 2025 to date.

Kurt Mann also could make his Origin debut, after being named 18th man.

The Bulldogs utility is a beneficiary of Canterbury’s fine form this season and provides cover if there is concussion mayhem in Game 1.

Billy Slater will blood three debutants for Game 1, Robert Toia, Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor (pictured L-R). Image: Getty Image: Getty

Queensland Maroons team:

1 Kalyn Ponga

2 Xavier Coates

3 Robert Toia

4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

5 Valentine Holmes

6 Cameron Munster

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Mo Fotuaika

9 Harry Grant

10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11 Reuben Cotter

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Pat Carrigan

BENCH:

14 Tom Dearden

15 Lindsay Collins

16 Beau Fermor

17 Trent Loiero

RESERVES:

18 Kurt Mann

19 Jesse Arthars

20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Billy Slater believes Robert Toia is ‘Origin class’

Speaking about his selection decisions on Monday morning, Slater explained his shock decision to blood Toia, despite his inexperience.

Toia will be the third least experienced player to make their debut when he runs out onto Suncorp Stadium for Game 1.

Ben Ikin had just four games when he was selected for Queensland in 1995, Willie Carne had played just 5 when he debuted in 1990.

But Slater believes he is up to the task.

“Things change all the time and we had some things happen last night that were out of our control,” Slater said.

“Robert Toia, I’ve been watching him closely. Not just the stuff he does with the football but he’s got great principles in his game, I know his coach at the Roosters has got a really high opinion ... that phone call last night was one that I’ll remember for a long time.”

Toia has been named at centre, opposite Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

“I think he is a world class centre, he is a top line centre. Although he’s only 10 games into his NRL career, he’s been through a bit of adversity ... we think he’s of Origin class”

Toia will have the tall task of keeping Mitchell quiet in the series-opener but Slater is confident the Roosters youngster can come out on top.

“He’s stood up every time he’s played, he’s been one of the more consistent players for the Roosters,” he said.

“Playing in the centres, it is man on man, but it’s a system and he is a good system player. He’s got some good strengths and they will need to defend him as well.

“Hopefully we can bring him into the game... hopefully he’s going to get some good ball in good situations and be pretty dangerous himself.”

Originally published as Billy Slater irked in tense journo exchange after Queensland selection bomb