Billy Slater wants another shot at World Cup redemption. It’s something, however, that he will have to wait another five seasons for because the 2008 edition of the tournament didn’t go to script for the 25 year-old excitement machine.
The international player of the year imploded in the final against the Kiwis on Saturday night.
Whether pressure or his free willing nature instigated his match turning play, Slater gifted Benji Marshall a try that changed the forecast of the Kangaroos’ international dominance.
It was in the second half where it all went wrong for the Storm fullback.
His World Cup campaign had been brilliant as expected in the lead up to the final against New Zealand, so one can understand why Slater would possess the confidence to do anything on the field.
When he gathered a Marshall kick with his usual flawless approach, Slater took it upon himself to immediately counter attack on the short side of the field.
The Brothers junior tried to get past rugby league’s most damaging winger in Manu Vatuvei, who is by no means a sloth in the Kiwi backline.
He then threw a suicide ball back into the field of play when Vatuvei pushed him into touch, which was humbly accepted by Marshall and possibly international rugby league.
He is no certainty to be the fullback for the Kangaroos’ next World Cup assault if the current stock of Australian custodians are anything to go by.
Slater will be pushing the wrong side of 29 years then. But he is a strong character of the game with still much to learn about the ability to take the necessary risks possible in pressure cooker matches.
If there is one player capable of learning from their mistakes and dominating once again, it is Billy Slater.
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