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2022 Rabbitohs State Of Origin

callmack1

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Origin Daily: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...h/news-story/3cafd0830681c27ee666017e1a8711dc

Confronting question Fittler must ask his troops: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/state-...xclusive/8e7dfb04-c303-48e4-a839-2643c7dedabf

From Sporting News,

Billy Slater opens up about his early experiences as the coach of Queensland

Billy Slater has revealed he is relishing the opportunity to represent Queensland again in a different capacity, after taking over the hot seat as the Maroons coach.

“To be honest I never dreamt of this [to be the coach]. I dreamt of playing, that’s for sure,” Slater said on SEN’s Captain’s Run.

Billy Slater was surprised to be offered the Maroons role

“When this position got put in front of me, I sort of didn’t really know how to react. But at the end of the day, this is important to us and that’s why we’re here," he said.

“Cam Smith, Johnathan [Thurston]- everyone is in this environment because we care about this team.

“This team means a whole heap to our people. It’s an inspiration to our state. And we feel that we can contribute.

“I’m really enjoying it. I love wearing the Maroons colour and representing our state. It’s a different way of doing it, but I’m really enjoying it at the moment,” he said.

Co-host Smith was quick to sing the praises of the new coach, claiming that despite him never having previously had aspirations to be in the top job, the role is a natural fit for Slater.

“When he said he didn’t really think about it- he coached. He pretty much coached in some capacity for the last ten years of his career as a player,” Smith said.

“At all levels, not just [Melbourne] Storm. He did it for Queensland and Australia.

“When you speak to a guy who has moved on like Nicho Hynes. The influence Billy had… not just in his fullback play but all things in and around being a professional rugby league player.

“Your preparation, your education of the game, looking at the opposition and understanding what you’re going to see and face.

“He’s just been fantastic for so many guys coming up through those systems,” Smith added.

Is Slater already turning into his mentor, Craig Bellamy?

Slater claimed he still wasn’t entirely sure what type of coach he will be in the future. However, he identified his love for player development as a key part of his philosophy going forward.

“With youth you get enthusiasm and energy. And the other thing is a real willingness to learn and develop their game, so I’ve really enjoyed that part of it. I’m trying to help young guys build and educate themselves in areas around the footy field,” Slater said.

“I want to allow them to create their own footy and what that looks like. We help shape that at training and in meetings, but at the end of the day we’ve got some really good football minds who are out there on the field.”

Despite claiming a victory over NSW, with a hard-fought 16-10 win on enemy soil, the rookie coach claimed it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

“Even in the final week of my career there were things I was looking to improve on…There was definitely things in Game I that I’ve tried to adjust.

“I’m sure I’m going to make mistakes in Game II, but I’m always assessing myself. I only look at it as a mistake if I don’t learn from it.”

After having played all of his club career under one coach at Melbourne, Slater conceded that Craig Bellamy's notoriously intense approach may have rubbed off on him.

“There were a couple of times in the box where I thought ‘Jesus, I’m starting to creep down that lane. Come on Bill, hold yourself together,” he laughed.

Origin is such an emotional game, you’ve just got to let it take you…I did get a little bit frustrated at times, but at the end of the day, it’s who we are.”

Identifying where Origin II will be won and lost

Slater underlined how the attitude his team carried into the series opener will need to be replicated in Perth, if they are to go on and claim the shield.

“We’ve got to match their desperation. We’ve got to think that this is do-or-die for us as well.

“State of Origin is all about that desperation. It’s really important that we go over there with that mindset that there is no tomorrow.”

With the series on the line at Optus Stadium, Brad Fittler has made a host of changes to his squad in the pursuit of levelling the scores.

One of the major changes he made was shifting Damien Cook to the bench, in favour of starting Penrith hooker Api Koroisau.

It is the alteration that has caught Slater’s eye the most in the week leading up to their clash.

“Api is a really crafty No.9. And it’s a different look to when Damien Cook is there,” Slater said.

“And we’re still going to have to face Cook at some stage and his speed out of dummy half.

“We’re going to have to be really on our game with Api out of dummy half with his trickery and combinations with Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary. That’s been a real focus for us going into this game.”
 

callmack1

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callmack1

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Enjoy the game tonight everyone!! Really looking forward to it!

Hoping Queensland can get the win but I just have a feeling NSW are going to hit back and send it to a decider. Gonna be one hell of a game hopefully!

Predicting NSW 16-14 but hope I'm wrong!
 

Steenson123

Juniors
Messages
486
Our club needs to seriously pursue a quality outside back such as Burton or Crichton. Both are big, young and strong.
At present, resigning Walker with a large Salary Cap hit would constitute a major error.
The squad needs some good management in terms of personnel or it likely becomes irrelevant.
 

callmack1

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Sorry for my late reaction but had a really busy game.

Certainly didn't enjoy that one as much as Game 1, just because it wasn't close I guess. The first half was great!! yes, there was a fair few errors which effected the flow but it was close and it was Origin Footy. Really enjoyed that first half. Not so much in the second as NSW kicked it up a notch and Queensland completely dropped their bundle.

I get that they were fatigued but some of the defence was simply not up to Origin standard. Very disappointing and kind of ruined the spectacle. Not sure where the Maroons go from here.

Our Rabbitohs went really well! All of them! Particularly Murray though, he was outstanding.

At least last night does set us up for a thrilling decider!!
 

callmack1

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'Sit and wait' - Blues center selection dilemma: https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/06/27/sit-and-wait-blues-centre-selection-dilemma/

'They don't need him' - Kenty warns NSW against picking Latrell for decider: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/31452c585cd2539e7fb23adf0819d319

Now it's Billy Slater's turn to face a selection dilemma. Here's how he could respond: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...r/news-story/d5c2a12c6e6f9e99dc305414b98ab670

Fittler's massive dilemma for Origin decider: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/state-...-centres/c850b1be-a160-40cb-bd17-288bcd39ee76

Latrell's post signals star's ruthless Origin intent: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/state-...r-game-3/0491ed99-4b4d-4b00-9ef4-5e4e868947ad
 

callmack1

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'It's rubbish this idea you need consistency' - Kenty and Buzz clash over Origin refereeing: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...d/news-story/ada1628c906552e5e36b407b28a4a2a9

'Seriously?' It's ridiculous' - Fittler shreds Origin ref question: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...i/news-story/982b30b23aedfd149035ff9373a484ff

The bizarre reason Maroons star didn't actually spend 10 minutes in the sin bin: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...n/news-story/421e9602481593d3637d0d3dc7f60c64

'A bit premature' - Meninga's doubts over Blues return for Latrell as Wighton headache looms: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/fb8f7f5b04cfbcc45e93492924af21fb

The Blues haven't won a Suncorp decider since 2005. Freddy may have to change a winning team: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...s/news-story/8eb4741598e1e863aa8e6253d1e38b4e

NSW legend says maroons don't need to panic: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/state-...-changes/159ec90d-70dc-4ebd-9631-15f56ac4550e

Brutal Blues axing tipped for Origin decider: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/state-...crichton/f1c02d7a-fe18-45f9-9cfc-6f3b7462f761
 

callmack1

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Arrow selected for QLD in Game 3: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2022/07/04/arrow-selected-for-qld-in-game-three/

Murray and Cook called up for Blues in Origin decider: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2022/07/04/murray-and-cook-called-up-for-blues-in-origin-decider/

Congrats to all three of our lads being selected once again!! Gonna be a great decider hopefully as both teams are mostly unchanged, the changes that have been made are because of injury and those changes are justified.

Billy Slater chats Origin 3 selections: https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/07/04/billy-slater-chats-origin-iii-selections/

Origin teams winners and losers: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/8f750f976a588523dc2fdb40ea47ad35

Latrell's huge Origin call would never happen in Queensland - Hoops: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...i/news-story/5d4a82cea6c9ef43110082d075be1c32

Big Latrell question that will go unanswered: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/latrel...n-column/59328c37-921f-4bf7-915a-811e82c6353f
 

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