Billy Slater

Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed the team list for Game II of this year's State of Origin series.

'Geez, they are big words': DCE, Slater in frosty exchange with journo after 'embarrassment' call.

“For 50 minutes it did really feel like there was a tight contest out there and the scoreboard probably reflects the last 30 minutes and how dominant the Blues were. Somewhere in the middle is the answer.” “The reality is that is what happened, that was the scoreline. But for the most part when we did have 12 men I thought we tried really hard. “I thought we were really brave to defend the way we did coming out after halftime. These are my teammates, there is not one person that didn’t try their hardest out there tonight.

Queensland coach Billy Slater moved to correct a reporter during the post-match press conference following his team's crushing loss to NSW in Perth on ...

“The sin bin was the turning point. “I hate sin bins at the best of times let alone in an Origin. I don’t think there was ever a warning here. “The reality is that is what happened, that was the scoreline. It was the third straight ruck infringement by Queensland and Kaufusi paid the price for it. But Queensland will be back.” These are my teammates, there is not one person that didn’t try their hardest out there tonight.

The Maroons captain made that clear when he bristled at a journalist's question in Queensland's post-match press conference, and he was backed up by coach Billy ...

Cherry-Evans agreed with Slater's assessment that Queensland had lost the game due to a lapse of concentration during a key period in the second half. "They put in a whole heap of effort, all right, so, it's one-all in the series, and the series will go back to Brisbane. The Maroons captain made that clear when he bristled at a journalist's question in Queensland's post-match press conference, and he was backed up by coach Billy Slater who went out of his way to address the word "embarrassment".

Kalyn Ponga is in doubt for Newcastle's game against the Titans on Friday night after a second head knock in as many weeks.

It’s one-all in the series, and the series will go back to Brisbane. That’s not going to win us the game, it’s not going to help us, unless we fix up these concentration errors. We’ve got to make sure he’s OK. In the sheds he seems fine but the doctors will assess him.” I’ve got to get better too. “Going back on the embarrassment thing, I think Queensland will be proud of their team. “You’ve got to put a lot of trust in your players, and trust in the work you’ve done throughout the week. Slater insists Queensland has a reason to be “proud of their team” despite the Blues blitz that has NSW on the cusp of their fourth series win in five years.

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT. After what looked like the start of a new winning dynasty in game I, the Queensland Maroons were cut back down to size ...

Extreme bias against the humble Queenslanders, as usual” “Also, the ref’s eyes were painted on. Perth, we’re glad you had some fun and got to watch some real football for once.