Billy Slater rubbishes underdog tag as Qld consider late positional switch

The bookies have them as raging favourites, but Queensland coach Billy Slater couldn’t care less as he considers making a late change to his side.

Billy Slater is considering a late change to his starting side as the Maroons look to defy history to wrap up the series at home. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Queensland coach Billy Slater is considering starting game 2 with Reuben Cotter on the right edge as the Maroons look to defy recent history and wrap up the series on home soil.

Slater’s side are set to start the match as red-hot favourites against a NSW side missing Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and Api Koroisau.

Bookies have them shorter than they’ve been since 2016, with the Maroons enjoying a smooth camp compared to their southern rivals where they haven’t been able to rely on their siege mentality.

“I know there’s a bit of a myth around Queensland being underdogs, but I couldn‘t care less,” Slater said.

“I couldn‘t care less who is favourites and who is not favourites, who has got players in and out and all that stuff. Both teams are very even in that regard.

Tom Gilbert’s shoulder injury forced a major reshuffle in the series opener, and the Maroons are considering going back to the well in Brisbane with Reuben Cotter a chance to start in the back row. Picture: NRL Imagery

“NSW have got injuries and have got new players in their team, and so do we. You’ve just got to do the best with the team that you’ve got.”

While most people are tipping them to win, the Maroons have to rewrite history with NSW winning the past five game 2s.

“History is history and it’ll be what it’ll be,” Slater said.

“That’s not going to make us play any better or worse (based on) what’s happened before in game 2s. It’s important that we just push all our energy into playing well for the game in front of us.”

Cotter was named on the bench for the series opener in Adelaide but ended up starting in the middle before he was quickly shifted to the edge after Tom Gilbert had his season ended by a shoulder injury.

The Cowboys dynamo claimed man of the match honours for his efforts in game one, which is why Slater may thrust him into the starting side in the middle or in the back row.

Cotter’s versatility is one of his biggest strengths and that’s crucial in Origin where coaches have to adapt on the run with injuries, head knocks and sin bins wreaking havoc as they did in Adelaide.

Both Queensland wingers came off injured, Gilbert left the field early, David Fifita was sent for a head injury assessment, while Tom Flegler spent 10 minutes in the sin bin which forced Slater to shift players into unfamiliar positions.

It’s why someone like Cotter is so valuable and could start at Suncorp Stadium.

Reuben Cotter was named man of the match for his effort in game 1. Picture: NRL Photos

“That’s an option for us,” Slater said.

“He’s quite versatile. I’ve seen him play a little bit of dummy-half, too.

“Given our last four games, we need those contingencies and we need those backup plans. We lost two wingers in game one and we lost two back-rowers in game one so we had Ben Hunt and David Fifita playing in the centres for a period of time.

“I’ve come to learn that you need a backup plan and that you need to think of everything.”

Jeremiah Nanai has played one game in two months but it was enough to win back his starting spot. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The talk is that Cotter could start on the right edge in place of Cowboys teammate Jeremiah Nanai who missed the series opener through suspension and has played just one game since Round 9.

That was against the Storm where he scored a try off the bench and did more than enough to convince Slater that he was ready for a recall.

“Jeremiah plays on that right edge and he’s in some great touch,” his coach said.

“He obviously had some time off, but the game he came back for, he had a lot of energy in his footy so we’ve got a few options there.”

Originally published as Billy Slater rubbishes underdog tag as Qld consider late positional switch