Blues out to target Billy
Slater celebrates an Origin try in 2011. Photo: Getty
Fullback Billy Slater will have no place to hide in the rugby league battleground of State of Origin, New South Wales have warned.
On Thursday, prop Aaron Woods made no secret of a Blues plan to test out Slater’s troublesome shoulder early in Game II in Melbourne.
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Reports suggest Slater may have season-ending surgery after the game on his left shoulder, which he injured in a NRL match in April.
Slater celebrates an Origin try in 2011. Photo: Getty
“He is one of their better players,” Woods said.
“We have to shut him down so obviously we are going to kick to him, we have to present a straight line (in defence) and get stuck into him early.
“You can’t really hide in Origin. It is a physical, quick game, he will get tested out there.
“In Origin you can’t get away with anything.”
Slater hasn’t played since Queensland’s 11-10 win in the series opener in Sydney last month.
The Blues attempted to target Slater then with limited success, but are set to do so again after revelations the injury hasn’t improved.
Queensland’s back three of Slater, Will Chambers and Darius Boyd were crucial in the Game I win, proving far more effective at returning kicks than the Blues.
“I thought their back three killed us last game so we have to get up them,” Woods added.
“Our kick [and] chase wasn’t good enough. We went up with a split line, Billy found holes, we have to fix that up.
“Will Chambers burnt us as well, he was running nice and hard … we just can’t let them get easy metres like they did.”
– AAP