Cameron Munster hits back at claims Billy Slater is on verge of ‘cracking’ ahead of Origin decider

Billy Slater has adopted a siege mentality ahead of the decider, prompting claims the coach is feeling the strain of a taxing series. However, skipper Cameron Munster has rubbished suggestions Slater is letting the pressure get to him.

Queensland skipper Cameron Munster has hit back at NSW’s ‘Dirty Tricks’ campaign to undermine Billy Slater as the Maroons rubbished claims their coach is on the verge of “cracking”.

Munster’s defiant stand came as Queensland legend Gorden Tallis launched a passionate defence of Slater, insisting defeat in the Origin decider this Wednesday night will not trigger his resignation.

Slater goes into Origin III buffeted by suggestions he is feeling the strain of an eventful series headlined by his explosive verbal spat with former NSW prop Aaron Woods.

Slater was labelled a “grub” by Woods before Game Two, prompting the Maroons coach to fire back at the ex-Blues forward, only to then make a formal apology on match day after he referenced the death of former Queensland coach Paul Green.

Munster said players were angered by Slater’s treatment in Game Two, won 26-24 by Queensland, and the Maroons champion declared his squad would love nothing more than to honour the coach by lifting the Origin shield on NSW soil.

“I know Billy has copped it, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to deliver for him,” Munster said.

Coach Billy goes into Origin III buffeted by suggestions he is feeling the strain of an eventful series. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“At the end of the day, he was under a lot of pressure and we were all under pressure.

“We didn’t deliver in Game One. We lost a series last year.

“But you can’t fault Billy. He’s one of the best players the game’s seen and he’s a great coach.

“He’s doing everything. He’s got a great game plan that worked in Game Two

“I know everything that he does for this team, what he pushes, and we need to go out there and play for him.”

Cameron Munster says Maroons players were angered by Slater’s treatment in Game Two. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Slater has adopted a siege mentality going into the decider, rejecting media appearances with Fox and Channel 9 in recent days to focus squarely on avoiding back-to-back series defeats.

Former NSW Origin playmaker and NRL 360 host Braith Anasta questioned if Slater was feeling the strain of an emotion-charged return bout in Perth.

The Maroons coach was forced to ring Green’s wife Amanda and personally apologise on game day after his riposte at Woods, fuelling a sky-blue sentiment Slater has been drained by four consecutive Origin campaigns.

Billy Slater has adopted a siege mentality for the Origin decider. Picture: Richard Walker

Last year, former NSW coach Michael Maguire got under Slater’s skin with his infamous “glass houses” comment. That was a reference to Slater’s rap sheet at the judiciary as a player after he criticised Blues debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for his sickening high shot on Reece Walsh.

“Billy was on the show the first two games and he was on Channel 9 as well,” said NRL 360 host Anasta, who played 10 Origin games for NSW.

“If you noticed he didn’t come on here and he wasn’t on Channel 9.

“I don’t know if that leans into him being under pressure or he is just bunkering down.

“He normally gives so much.”

Slater is contracted to the Maroons until the end of 2026 and Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin is confident he will be at the helm for a fifth series next year.

Former Queensland skipper Tallis said he could understand if Slater was feeling the pinch, but urged him to coach on.

“It does drain you,” Tallis said.

“I have watched all the coaches, Laurie Daley, Kevvie Walters, Brad Fittler ... it’s got two states sitting there hoping and praying that their state and team wins.

“NSW are favourites to win the series and they are under pressure to win this series. They are under more pressure than Queensland and I have never seen Billy Slater walk away from a challenge.

“I don’t think Billy will walk away.”

Originally published as Cameron Munster hits back at claims Billy Slater is on verge of ‘cracking’ ahead of Origin decider