Slater could be the luckiest man at Rugby League World Cup

Agree 100%. And I don't even like Slater.

Yep. yep. Yep. justified. if that guy had done that in most nightclubs in manchester he would have been hospitalised and it would have been ugly. Slater was patting him on the shoulder in a conciliatory manner and the guy just slapped him without looking. Slaters punch was self defence in any court of law. the guy in the jacket needs to learn that being a cokehead is not a bullet proof vest.

Not his fault. The local was a tw 8t.

Seems the Wallabies didn't heed the advice, but this proves, sports athletes will go out and let their hair down. this is not a rugby league thing as some people here insinuated: http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/wallabans-six-of-the-best-suspended-for-a-test-nine-more-disciplined-following-boozy-night-out/story-fni2fxyf-1226762846500 Also heard 4 Scottish rugby union international are up on assault charges after a late night out, this time attacking another rugger player.

Do you live on a remote island called Fairyland?

"If any of this niggly nonsense occurs during the World Cup, I’ve got no qualms about the victim defending himself as best he can." Tim Prentice - 17 Oct 2013.

There is a common deficiency amongst the roarers whose vision is blinded by the fact Slater & the aggressor’s roles could have been played by anybody. The fact remains both were lucky. If Tim’s underlying message/advertisement is to create awareness then those who fail to understand need to give themselves a royal uppercut. By the way Tim Prentice is not Tim Sheens. If the author wanted to drag Billy through the gutter he would have complimented the story displaying his chequered history of foul play he’s committed over the years. It’s not about Billy or other code agendas, it’s about the consequences of the choices you make & ensuring preventions are put in place to avoid the unpredictable.

you might want to read a few more comments if you think its without argument.

Yes, disappointing. No wonder NRL players only tolerate most journos because they're bosses tell them to, even though they understand the level of trash sports/rugby league journalism has fallen to.

I think your name is apt.

Cheers Muzz !!! Have to say this ... The Roar's advertising assault is a big disappointment and appalling - Let's debate that!!!

I believe Slater adhered to that very opinion - He is no fool, he loves and respects the game of league, but he is is only human ... Next time you're on a night out, see how you feel when someone attacks your head ... My adult son (an indigineous father of two) was assaulted, by a group of young indigineous teenagers 18 months ago whilst walking home from a night out in a little Queensland country town ... He was kicked to the ground - his only protection was to roll into a foetal position - protecting his head from the barrage of feet ... When we reported it to the police and the local indigineous community leaders, the only thing they had to say, is, "there is nothing that can be done" ... And, their advice to us, was not to lay charges in case "they" retaliate ie., burn your home down ... That incident was a big lesson to my son, and us ... It hasn't changed our desire to live and let live, but has ruined our faith in people and the ability to feel safe, especially at night ... Life goes on and so will Slater's - Que Sara Sara - Hopefully he digs deep and delivers a fine display of leagueability in the game against the USA ...

Yeah he was hit in the head, that's without argument. And I think it was a half-punch from Slater, I think he could have hit him a lot harder if he wanted. Makes sense to me. I don't know what was said beforehand or how it started, but the police no doubt took statements and came to the conclusion that Slater should press charges.

About time : )

That's not how I saw it on the news and that's not how I'm seeing it on the video ... Slater walks up to the "bouncer" ... Obviously explainging the situation ... A women and a man walk past - it appears the women says something, of which, Slater turns with his hands abreast - apologetic ... The man then, for God knows what reason, slaps Slater to the side of his head and then Slater retaliates - I don't know a man who wouldn't have ... Surprisingly to me, and obviously to the other fellow, and probably most league fans, is just how quick and accurate Slater's right hand was ... Not that I condone biffing, brawling, or street fights - far from it, nor do I find it a great idea for married men to be out to all the hours of the night (although that in itself is not a criminal offence) ... The police have aquitted Billy Slater on the evidence - He is innocent, simple as that ... It would be a different scenerio if he was "plastered", but he obviously wasn't and one can only assume that the "missing the jacket" is now in Slater's possession ... Slater may be a family man, but he certainly isn't going to allow someone to slap him around, or attempt to king hit him - He is a professional footballer and he'd be protecting himself for himself, for his family and for his team and career ... I believe his wife has every right to express her anxt about "one hit wonders", and I'd assume besides being worried, would be angry at her husband ... She and Billy would be well aware of how badly that situation could have become and thankfully both men came away from it unharmed ... It does not surprise me that Billy did not lay charges - He is after all understand he is not beyond reproach himself, understanding that situations like this arise and hopefully, as he adhered to, has learnt a lesson about, being gullible, niave and even making stupid choices ... There's no doubt on that note alone, he would have received the rath of his family, friends, and coach ... All said and done, after things settled down in the Aussie camp, sense and sensibility has come to the for, the players are permitted to leave the shackles of their accommodation on their days off ... Tim Prentice - a right royal upper-cut to you for a weak attempt to drag Slater into the gutter - Find your braver heart and tell him how you feel, right to his face ... At least Billy wasn't as afraid of the media as you are obviously of him ... All I'm caring about now is that the Aussie's win again this weekend and hey, I'd be the first to say, GO AUSSIES GO - GO BILLY SLATER !!!

Brilliant, It sounds like a slim chance you'll never back down to a chihuahua. In your world it seems prevention comes in the form of violence. What next? I suppose without knowing what the verbal exchange was due to you'd be happy if aggressor or Slater for that matter was "packed" to intentionally retaliate by causing serious harm. By your logic simplicity is governed by stupidity for which it has no sense of reason other than stupidity.

just like he's allowed to 'protect himself' on the field by kicking people in the throat.

That little rat bag could easily have had a few mates involved and it is clear that Billy is trying to calm him down, cops one across the chops and gives him one back with interest. Happens all the time and absolutely no need for the Police to get involved. Luckily, it appears common sense prevailed over in the old country if not on The Roar.

If Jameswm had it hes way, wed probably all have our arms and legs ducktaped and bubblewrapped, wed all be just rolling around, but its all good, cause no one will be hitting anyone, and god forbid no one will defend themselves against an attack...lol, the world has gone mad.