{"id":767405,"date":"2026-06-29T08:34:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T08:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/767405\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T08:34:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T08:34:09","slug":"billy-slater-reveals-stance-on-maroons-coaching-future-ahead-of-state-of-origin-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/767405\/","title":{"rendered":"Billy Slater reveals stance on Maroons coaching future ahead of State of Origin III"},"content":{"rendered":"

Billy Slater says he does not expect this year’s State of Origin series to be his last as Queensland coach, but he will proceed in the role on a handshake basis.<\/p>\n

Slater has the chance to win his fourth series as Maroons coach in next week’s Origin III at Lang Park.<\/p>\n

Maroons recall veteran for Origin decider<\/a><\/p>\n

Billy Slater names Patrick Carrigan in his Queensland squad for State of Origin III despite the Broncos forward having not played since late May due to an ankle injury.<\/p>\n

He signed a three-year extension at the end of the 2023 series.<\/p>\n

“I won’t be signing another contract. This is not a contract job for me,” Slater told reporters on the Sunshine Coast as the Maroons went into camp.<\/p>\n

“I really enjoy helping this group of men go and inspire our people of Queensland.<\/p>\n

“When that changes, my position will change. Or if someone in the QRL [Queensland Rugby League] decides there’s someone better for the job, I’m all for that as well.”<\/p>\n

Slater was asked to clarify if he meant his future as Maroons coach would proceed on a handshake basis.<\/p>\n

“Yep, pretty much,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It might surprise you, but that’s how it is.”<\/p>\n

Daley to answer critics<\/a><\/p>\n

Laurie Daley says he will address criticism about his performance as Blues coach once the State of Origin series is over.<\/p>\n

Slater said he coached the Maroons because he enjoyed helping the players “inspire the people of Queensland”.<\/p>\n

“That’s what this team has given me when I was a kid. It gave me inspiration,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Now we get the opportunity to go and give the rest of Queensland that inspiration.”<\/p>\n

The Maroons are seeking their first win at Lang Park since 2023.<\/p>\n

“The venue means a lot to us, but what happened three weeks ago, 12 months ago or 30 years ago is nearly irrelevant,” Slater said.<\/p>\n

“What happens in the next nine days and what happens in the 80 minutes is what will decide the outcome and what we will be focusing on.”<\/p>\n

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