Watch: Billy Slater references Paul Green in emotional response to Aaron Woods’ ‘grub’ sledge

Queensland coach Billy Slater has launched a stunning attack on former Blues prop Aaron Woods, referencing late Maroons coach Paul Green in the emotional response to ‘grub’ sledge. WATCH THE VIDEO

Emotional Queensland coach Billy Slater has launched a stunning attack on former Blues prop Aaron Woods as interstate tensions exploded on the eve of Origin II.

A fired-up Slater used the official Game Two press conference in Perth’s CBD on Tuesday to sensationally hit back at Woods, who called the Maroons mentor a “grub” following NSW’s 18-6 win in Game One.

Triple M expert Woods had questioned Slater’s loyalty after axing skipper Daly Cherry-Evans before recalling how the Storm legend once copped a six-week ban for kicking John Skandalis in the head.

Slater is usually mild mannered and reluctant to give the Blues any ammunition, but he didn’t hold back when asked about Woods’ assessment of him ahead of Origin II at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

In a stinging broadside, Slater lashed Woods. He suggested the ex-Blues prop was two-faced, should consider resigning as a commentator and made a reference to Queensland’s “last coach” before him, Paul Green, who took his life in August 2022.

“When you degrade someone personally in a derogatory manner, you probably don’t deserve one of those privileged positions that you’re all in, that we’re all in,” said Slater, who also works as a Channel 9 media commentator.

“When you hold a position in the media or in our game, I feel that’s a privilege and with that privilege comes a responsibility.

“I sit in that position most weeks and you amplify your voice to millions of people.

“You’re not talking to your mates in the pub.

“Now, I know Aaron Woods. I actually ran into him about three or four weeks ago at a footy game and he didn’t voice that opinion then.

“He actually brought his son over to introduce him to me.

“I get the attention in our game. I get that. Our game creates attention, but there’s a responsibility with that attention.”

Slater became emotional several times. He paused briefly, before continuing his withering spray of Woods amid rousing applause from Queensland fans at the public gathering at a Perth shopping precinct.

“I’m not done yet,” Slater added.

“You don’t know what people are going through.

“Although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be.

“Maybe our last coach (Green) didn’t.

“I believe the character of a person is judged more on what they say about people and how they treat people than what an individual says to create attention about someone.

“There’s your answer.”

Slater then received another round of applause from Queensland fans as he comes under mounting pressure to avoid four consecutive Maroons losses for the first time in 28 years.

When approached for a right of reply to Slater’s comments, Woods declined, suggesting he would use his breakfast radio show on Triple M on Wednesday morning to offer his response.

Another hot topic is the call for Queensland to kick-off to Spencer Leniu after steering clear of the NSW firebrand in Game One.

Addressing the issue, Slater says the Maroons won’t bow to public pressure and change their game plan, but he gave Leniu a tactical teaser.

“If Spencer’s on the right side of the field, he’ll get the ball,” Slater said.

“We’ve made a decision on what we’re doing (with their kick-offs).

“We don’t ask Nathan (Cleary, NSW halfback) to kick to a specific corner. He does what he wants. He gets his game on, so we’ll be getting our game on.

“I get all the dilemma about it, but at the end of the day, it’s about building a game and a game plan that best suits you.

“It’s not about what you want or anyone else wants, that’s the game.”

NSW’s greatest coach, Phil Gould, believes the Maroons will drop Harry Grant and start Kurt Mann at hooker.

Asked if Grant will start at hooker, Slater said: “We’ve still got another training session to go and we don’t have to make our final decision until (Wednesday), but that’s the plan at this stage, yes.”

Slater’s new Queensland captain Cameron Munster said he and Tom Dearden will have to step-up their tactical kicking following the axing of Cherry-Evans.

“We can’t afford to put pressure on ourselves with our fifth-tackle options,” Munster said.

“Tommy’s a halfback, but I’ve got a left-foot kick as well.

“It (their kicking game) is going to be a massive thing for us.

“They’ve got a great back five and we need to make sure we put a lot of pressure on their back five because it gets them out of trouble.

“We’ve just got to make sure as a group we’re playing together.

“We didn’t do that in Game One.”

Originally published as Watch: Billy Slater references Paul Green in emotional response to Aaron Woods’ ‘grub’ sledge