When Billy Slater went down injured early in the second half of Australia’s Rugby League World Cup quarter final, the armchair coaches went searching for many weird and wonderful solutions to replacing the “greatest fullback in the game”.
Ahead of this weekend’s semi-final against Fiji, we’ve so far heard the Brent Tate may play in the forwards. We’ve also heard Michael Jennings playing on the wing, and Josh Morris playing there as well.
None of these drastic changes needs to happen. Greg Inglis will play at fullback, there’s no doubt about that. Jarryd Hayne should also be in the team – he’s a proven match winner and has valuable utility ability.
Inglis and Hayne are terrifically talented players. Strong, powerful, fast and versatile, they can tear apart any team on their day.
With Inglis going to fullback he’ll be more involved than he is when he’s playing centre. It’s hard enough to contain him when he’s playing out wide, but at fullback he has a lot of room to move.
Hayne should be given a licence to roam. He plays that role often for New South Wales and his ability to create something from nothing is lethal.
If Hayne and Inglis were to strike up a combination, they could quite easily tear apart Fiji and either England or New Zealand.
Michael Jennings would be a positive selection to partner Hayne in the centres. The Roosters flyer is a terrific attacking weapon who, when given space, can turn his opposite inside out with his speed and power.
Josh Morris is another who can fill the position and would do a more than impressive job there.
Brent Tate could play on the wing or in the centres. He has plenty of experience in both positions, having played there for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia in the past.
Tim Sheens has some of the most versatile and talented backs the game has seen at his disposal.
Billy Slater’s injury could quite easily see both Hayne and Inglis have a more profound effect on Australia’s campaign than Slater himself. Both men contain more pure talent than Slater, and their ability to beat numerous defenders means they can split a game wide open.
People shouldn’t be looking at Slater’s injury as a let down – more as a chance to see two of the most talented players in the game make their mark on this year’s World Cup.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Muzz, one thing you need to understand, don't tell me what to do ... There's a whole lot of corrolation between Slater and Urban ... Slater - leagueability and Urban - musicability - Both have been dragged down by their fellow Australian's - DISGRACEFUL - both have little to answer too or prove, the proof is in their performances ... I just so happen to be a fan of both and I respect them for who they are and what they've achieved as professionals, entertainers and Australians - They are at the top of their games ... Does anything ever meet with your approval ... On this topic, if you care to look and or take off the blinders, is proof that Slater is a superbly talented league footballer - no mug lair, and hopefully, that Keith Urban is full of surprises, just like Billy ... I was lucky enough to acquire a signed book by Jeff Apter, from Rolling Stone Magazine, who wrote, "Fortunate Son, the unlikely rise of Keith Urban", and come Christmas I'll have the pictorial biography - "Billy Slater - Number One" ... These are my interests, not yours perhaps, but I'm not on here to please or support YOU or your negativity or anyone else's for that matter ... My suggestion to you and others who might be interested in great lyrics, go to Itunes and download KU's album FUSE or just the single "SHAME" ... The lyrics of that may just drive it home that KU nor Billy Slater are no different to you and or me - HUMAN !!! Hope you're enjoying the cricket as much as I am today - Can you imagine if the English lads had wiped the smiles off our faces ??? Oh, and don't forget to be up early tomorrow morning to watch the league.
Muzz
Guest
Stop already with the Keith Urban stuff.....Of course he was going to return,it was just a bad cork....Sheens will go for experience over form in the final and it may cost him another job.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I knew today was going to be great - I've been waiting for 14 months for some very special flowers to bloom ... Today that happened ... And if that wasn't good enough, today's Sport News reads - Slater returns to training with the Australian team ... Where are all the Roar league writers, I ask ??? :-) :-D A song for you "Relic", and league fans like you !!! YOU'RE NOT MY GOD ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSq0PiYVM9E And, a few more KU songs to inspire Billy Slater in his recovery ... A SONG FOR DAD ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JvJDu9sUeg YOU'RE NOT ALONE TONIGHT ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJXiSRHAmRg
Relic
Guest
Billy the cat really is great. I won't give him my Jersey if I was a kangeroo and he was cat
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Like myself and you Tony, what others may not be aware, Billy Slater was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth - Like me, Billy's parents know their children are not without imperfections - Who isn't ??? His parents, nor he, live a life of luxury - simple life pleasures, family and a love of league, sport and country music ... Here's to another great season for the Storm in 2014.
Tony S
Guest
Thank you for your honest, mature, and heartfelt response to my comments. You certainly love the game as our family does. You obviously have many memorable moments following this great game. It must be a magical experience in life to grow up in a country town environment and to gain so many friends through following the local League team. Your family is certainly a real and authentic Rugby League family.....so many contacts. Fantastic. Billy's family sounds brilliant. No wonder he is the great man that he has turned out to be. He can be so proud that he too now has his own amazing wife and children who love him so much. Isn't it good to see Billy with his children on the field after he plays a major game. Like you, I have also been involved in the game for most of my life, including being graded as a referee, coaching at many levels, working on the Junior Development Council for an NRL club before it merged, and also as an executive on the board of a few Junior League clubs. It's good to see that you and your husband are still so involved in the game. Also, supporting The Storm you can't go wrong. They are superb. Like you it always amazes me why Aussies tend to try and "kill off" our sporting heroes. For now, Billy Slater will continue to be the envy of every other NRL team and we can look forward to more of his outstanding athleticism during the 2014 NRL Season. No matter who the sportsman is, I always acknowledge greatness when it appears, and that's not too often.
holty
Guest
Gotta agree. I am essentially an AFL supporter and then a Union bloke but I can see and appreciate Billy's ability and athleticism. Have to say the limited number of games I have seen that have been enjoyable have invariably featured Billy doing some fairly good stuff.!!
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Actually Tony, you say it much better, and as a fan of both the Storm and Slater I thank you for your opinion and thoughts ... You seem to know Billy well, well, better then others on this site ... What really erks me is that fellow Aussie's have a "hatred" for one of our countries superb sportsman - I find the deliberation, reasoning and comments above bewildering and appalling ... Slater and the current group of players tenure will be over before we all know it - And, to be perfectly honest, I'm not totally convinced that there is enough talent or ability, direction or guidance to drive the game of rugby league through another generation ... I've loved the game since I was a young girl, my dad, a country town referee, my mother told me she couldn't convince me that I'd have more fun at home playing with my brothers and sisters ... Although when we moved to Mount Isa (a town with a huge league following) in the early 60's and then and in the 70's and 80's there where very few Sunday's that we all weren't at the ground cheering on our local players - Billy Slater or not, those players still hold my heart, they where our real heroes and they where first class - legendary throughout NW and North Queensland - and it is their sons and nephews who went on to live their dreams and from whom they learnt much and their family should be proud ... Including Slater's dad, uncle and his even Billy's grandfather (a referee), who braved the crowd each weekend - regardless of any retort or ridicule ... I played softball, and so did Billy's mother who went to school and was friends with my youngest sister ... But mostly what bought the rugby league and sporting fraternities together was the social aspect ... Nothing much has changed ... My husband wasn't a bad league player himself, a good man, and played along-side NRL players Bella, Shearer and Campion - He is still active in club duties and is a life member of his club .. I wish the best for Billy, his family and his career ... Time to pay my Storm Membership !!!
Tony S
Guest
Brilliant comments I'mastormtrooper2 !!! Fully agree with everything you say in your posting. Well done. Wonder why so many people have almost a basic hatred for Billy Slater.....jealousy maybe. Tall poppy syndrome perhaps....Ummmmm. The guy is one of the most brilliant athletes ever to lace on a Rugby League boot. His sensational plays, his amazing acceleration, his reading of a game in consultation with Cronk and Smith, his mateship with players off the field, and his genuine desire to care for an opposing player who is seriously hurt, all combine to make him one extraordinary human being. What a great family man and role model as well. A future Immortal for sure. For now, we have to get him back on the field for the NRL season in 3 months time. It's just a great opportunity that we have all been given the opportunity to watch Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk play together in the one team in this particular generation of NRL footy. He is a hero to my kids and thousands of others who follow the greatest game of all.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
SuperEels22 ... FACT - all three are natural athletes - most league players are ... FACT - The majority of players and experts current and past have openly stated their opinion of Billy Slater - They rate him as #1 - He most certainly is the best I've seen, not only insightful, but consistently athletic on his feet and in the air - He does not deliberately go on the park to hurt his opposition, it is more in the momentum and not being able to pull out of the action ... With respect, did you watch him when Williams from Manly hurt his neck ... What needs to be taken into account, besides size and or stature, is the ability of a back line player not to only play a position, (that's what they are paid to do after all), but to utilize his skill and ability, for his team, around "the paddock" ... (Hayne earns about $500,000, Inglis $600,000, Slater $450,000 plus sponsorship, Cronk $600,000, Smith $700,000 and Farrah $1,000,000 - Figure that out ???) ... I've spoken to many people about Slater's game and even those who barrack for other teams have stated, that when they have taken note of what he does it blows them away ... Not forgetting he's got 4 years plus on Hayne and Inglis ... Hayne at his best, and he has not been their for some time, was fantastic to watch and his ability, skill and talent was more than evident - I have often stated that the media and some personal issues was the catalyst for his demise and lack of form - Similarly to Ben Barba, however at Hayne's best, I'd rate him better than Barba in 2012 ... Barba and Hayne do not have the defensive skill of Slater, Inglis, Stewart or Minniechiello, and both have not been showing near the form or the committment of these players ... In respect to Slater playing at the Storm with Bellamy, Cronk and Smith ... I believe you're wrong - FACT - Slater was always going to SHINE in rugby league - He respects officialdom and would have aspired and achieved under any league coach - Professionally, he and Minniechiello stand heads and shoulders above the others ... I also believe Inglis was a better player with the Storm and so would Hayne - I'm sure the Storm are looking to the future, after Slater, Smith and Cronk move on or retire - But, they want players who give 100% and turn up to play every week ... How disappointed would you be if Jarryd decided to choose his playing career over his wallet, and swap the blue and gold for the colour purple ??? There's also one other FACT that you and others seem to overlook - These players are foes on the paddock, great mates off and team mates when they represent their country ... So perhaps I'm not the one wearing "rose coloured glasses" ...
the spectator
Guest
Nice points add Lockyer ( still 2nd best imo,) how quick to form opinions on outdated broadcasters! Again I can't stop Lmao!
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Yeh, I suppose wingers won't have to worry about being kneed in the back or kicked in the had when they try to ground grubbers against Melbourne or Queensland. Kick chasers won't have to worry about being kicked in the head. The game definitely won't be the same without the grub. Ever wondered why Hayne's had an issue with consistency? He's had six coaches and countless halves pairings to play alongside. Whereas Slater conveniently has had Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk for the majority of his career with Bellamy as coach. A quick search brings up their awards. Slater has 13 awards in ten seasons of NRL. Hayne has 10 awards in seven seasons in the NRL. And by awards I mean RLIF, NRL and Origin accolades. You say Slater beats both Hayne and Inglis in athleticism yet Hayne is a natural athlete and as a teenager had to choose between representing his country in athletics or playing rugby league. Both Inglis and Hayne have played more positions than Slater. I think you're seeing things through rose-coloured glasses in terms of Billy the kid.
the spectator
Guest
Best bomb received, 07 grand final about 10 mins into the second half Won him the au Jersey, Lmao'!! Slaters absence weakens the current squad and I hope they keep GI in the centres with Boyd outside him and Hayne at fullback, balance is required to beat the kiwis unless the kiwis beat themselves against the poms..
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I only have a couple of wishes added to my bucket list:- Slater plays for another 5 years and Keith Urban is the #1 enterainment at the NRL Grand Final ... I'm fairly easily pleased, but as my husband says, I'm not very lucky ... Must have killed a Chinaman in a former life !!!
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Muzz, don't get carried away, my husband (of 25 years) bought it for me ... I wouldn't do that myself ... I'm far from a stalker ... It's rank that bloggers and league fans prefer to put on blinkers and or lower their standards - 'slagging', rather than accepting the facts - Billy Slater has been the best Fullback for a decade, and still is - Sheens has him as his preferred #1 - Experts opinion and records don't lie ... But, nor he, nor his family are ever likely going to raise the topic, and it's a shame about the continued onslaught of slanderous statements ... Put yourself in Slater's boots (those bright red ones) ... Slater has said his approach to the Fullback position was based on Minnies style ... Stewarts game is similar, Hayne too, but his inconsistent and of course GI's has brute force but with an obvious weakness around the ruck and orchestrating plays - but good on the flanks ... Then of course there are the "new kids on the block" coming through the ranks ... All are highly skilled, but ask any of the Fullbacks over the last 10 years and those of yesteryear, and the majority have said that Billy Slater is #1 - Best ever - Whatever !!! You're wrong about Minnichiello too ... Did you not watch the England V Aussie game and a brilliant take in the game against the USA ... He does that every week for the Storm and in Origin ...
Muzz
Guest
HAHAHAHA ARE YOU SERIOUS??? Maybe when there is a potential Slater war you can upload this type of Material to confuse the punters.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
These songs are more reflective of Billy ... YOU'LL THINK OF ME http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk1nw4Uoxig&list=PL0FD2674A88DC30C5 WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE ME http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSi5uyAsiAM I TOLD YOU SO http://au.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0SO817u1Y1S6BAARvwL5gt.?p=youtube+-+keith+urban+-+i+told+you+so&fr2=sb-top&rd=r1 SHINE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mizWaG07g7k A LITTLE BIT OF HELP FROM MY FRIENDS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZcWTYZFHGc&list=PLdpo6wgM9lVHpkoeoo7i0dyDFABRi2KZr
Muzz
Guest
Hahaha nice, I did watch that the other night,quite good and almost replied " more obsessive behaviour Im'2" but didn't want to push my luck : ).......Mini's the best under the high ball,Billy drops most of them theses days.....When you watch GI in open space do you think my Billy use to be able to do that???
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Muzzy ... The pictorial biography - "BILLY SLATER - NUMBER ONE" will be released in December ... I'm sure there will be plenty of sensational photo's of Slater in that ... I have one framed photo of Billy in my "home office" - taking the high ball in a SOO - A present from my wonderful hubby ... There's been no league player better under the high ball and his spectacular takes on the run are mind blowing - pure and simple he's MR ENTERTAINMENT ... Except perhaps for one other inspiring Queenslander - Australia's highest achieving songwriter/singer/musician - KEITH URBAN ... I believe Slater is an Allan Jackson fan though - That's the only thing I'd try and change about Billy The Kid ...
Muzz
Guest
SuperEel22, If we could add some music as the page loads maybe we could go with Everybody was kung fu fighting, those cats were fast as lightning Maybe Billy can bring out an action figure doll one day called Billy the kid : )