Slater warns doubters against writing off Maroons with strange 'We're still Queenslanders' mantra
Maroons coach Billy Slater was magnanimous in defeat but was quick to point out that his team would be hungry for revenge in the Origin series decider.
“We’re still Queenslanders,” was the cryptic reply he used twice when asked if he would make changes to his team after their 38-18 thumping.
Even when asked to explain what it meant, he refused to divulge an explanation in a bizarre exchange with reporters during the post-match media conference at the MCG.
Slater was not too critical of his team’s performance despite the 34-0 first-half wipe-out and was confident they could seal the series on home turf in Brisbane on July 17.
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“It just felt like we were running uphill and we couldn’t stop the momentum of the game and part of that’s on us. We will look at our game and work out what we need to adjust but what I do know is there’s another game in three weeks’ time,” he said.
“NSW just got a snowball of possession. We held them out for a few sets. They broke and got a try and it all went downhill from there.
“It’s a tough game to play, it’s a lot tougher when you’re tired,” he added in reference to their lack of possession in the opening 20 minutes.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans said “no two series are ever the same” while also putting on a brave face.
“There’s still a lot of desire there, regardless of the result tonight, we still want it more than ever and we need to show that in our performance next game,” he said.
“After a loss like that, the next game can’t come quick enough.”
Slater confirmed that centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had suffered an AC joint injury to his shoulder and while it was brave of him to return to the field in the second half, his immediate future is clouded.