‘We’re Queenslanders’: Slater quiet on changes after Melbourne mauling

‘We’re Queenslanders’: Slater quiet on changes after Melbourne mauling

Queensland coach Billy Slater didn’t know whether the AC joint injury suffered by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow would keep him out of the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium where he said home ground advantage will mean nothing if his team couldn’t address the mistakes made in a history-making MCG mauling.

Shell-shocked Slater was curt when asked if he’d consider game three personnel changes declaring only “we’re Queenslanders” but vowing even his own role would be gone over with a fine-tooth comb in what looms as a solemn review of a lopsided loss to NSW.

Tabuai-Fidow hurt himself in the opening half and was removed from the field but returned to score a try in the second 40 minutes which Slater said was “brave”, without knowing the severity of the injury and whether the backline star would be ready for the decider.

“He’s done an AC, that’s all I know,” Slater said.

“So it was pretty tough effort for him to get back out there. He obviously wasn’t 100%. But he knew the team needed him.”