Slater sledges inspired Maroons to do it for Billy
Endless questions about Billy Slater’s future as coach and public criticism of the Queensland legend helped inspire the Maroons to victory in State of Origin II.
Cameron Munster has revealed how public criticism of Slater galvanised Queensland, admitting he was hurt by jabs at his coach ahead of Wednesday night’s match.
Slater’s roller-coaster 42nd birthday ended with a 26-24 win in Perth, 12 hours after he made a public apology for a comment regarding the late Paul Green.
The win set up a decider in Sydney on July 9, breathing life back into a series that appeared destined to be won by NSW after its dominant game one.
Queensland coach Billy Slater got the backing of his players in Origin II. Photo: AAP
In the last three weeks, Slater has been under fire from all quarters over questions about selections following Daly Cherry-Evans’ axing, the team’s performance, and his future in the job.
He was also labelled a “grub” by former NSW forward Aaron Woods, prompting his controversial response on Tuesday at an outdoor press conference in Perth’s CBD.
The criticism was enough to spur on the Maroons, with Munster revealing players wanted to stand up and play for the former Queensland fullback.
“When you have someone jabbing at him like that, it really hurts. It hurts me personally,” Munster said.
“When someone’s having a jab at someone in your own backyard, you stand up on your back and want to get up and fight.
There’s a great bond between Slater and his chief lieutenant Munster. Photo: AAP
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“We needed to do that tonight. We were backs against the wall, no one gave us a chance.
“I love him, and I just want to do the best thing for Queensland, and the best thing for him, because he’s not doing this for him, he’s doing it for Queensland.”
Munster was brilliant in the Maroons’ win, scoring a try. He was named man of the match after starring in Queensland’s 26-6 first-half.
But the new Queensland captain is well aware the Maroons must be much better in Sydney, after letting NSW back into the game after the break and ending with four tries to their five.
Regardless, Munster said the criticism of Slater for the Maroons’ performance in their 18-6 series-opening loss was unwarranted.
“He’s our coach, and he’s done everything he can to tick the boxes for us, and we didn’t perform for him in game one,” he said.
“He got a lot of slack for it, and a lot of stuff in the media, and he didn’t deserve it.
“He’s given us a great game plan, and we didn’t execute in game one, and we did it tonight in the first half.
“I played with Bill, he’s a champion player and champion coach, and I’ve had a great relationship with him, and still do.”
Munster also revealed the Maroons had invoked the spirit of 1995 ahead of the game, with the 30-year anniversary of Paul Vautin’s unlikely 3-0 series win during the Super League war.
The Queensland No.6 referenced the 1995 series on field after the game, before again raising it in the press conference.
“We keep talking about it,” Munster said.
“They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that ’95 mentality in defence.
“We’ve just got to keep working hard for each other. It’s going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we’ve got to be ready for it.
“We can’t afford to be ambushed.”
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NSW’s Daley takes blame
NSW was made to pay for its shoddy first half against Queensland in Perth, but coach Laurie Daley isn’t about to swing the selection axe.
NSW coach Laurie Daley has taken the blame for the Blues’ first-half flop in Origin II, indicating he’ll stick with his players for the series decider in Sydney.
Although NSW scored the first try of the match, it was blown off the park for the rest of the first half. Queensland entered the break with a dominant 26-6 lead.
The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 per cent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles.
NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as it threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history.
But, ultimately, Zac Lomax’s three missed conversions and the team’s horrific first half was left to haunt them with a decider now looming on July 9 at Accor Stadium.
“I’ve got to take responsibility, because we started well [with the first try], but the first half wasn’t great,” Daley said.
“I’ve got to look at what I’ve done, because something isn’t right.”
Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three.
“Well, I was confident at half-time,” Daley said.
“I know what this group is capable of, and that’s the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity.
“You can’t play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close.
“For us, it’s a good lesson. We’ll go back to the drawing board.
“It’s one-all. That’s what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines.
“I’m sure everyone wants a decider, and they’ve got it now.”
The other issue for NSW is Nathan Cleary’s fitness.
The halfback took no shots at goals, and took up general-play kicking only in the second half as the Blues attempted to fight their way back into the match.
With Mitch Moses out for six weeks with a calf tear, the Blues desperately need Cleary back fit for Origin III and firing on all cylinders.
Daley confirmed after Wednesday’s loss that his No.7 had experienced groin tightness. He insisted he was never in any doubt for the match.
“He just felt a bit tight in his groin, so we wanted to limit the amount of force he put in there,” Daley said.
“He is a tough kid, Nathan. We know what a quality player he is, but he is tough. His groin was tight but he got through OK.”
