Billy Slater well and truly buried the ghost of the 2008 World Cup final with a stellar display at Old Trafford in the 2013 decider.
Slater was outstanding in his comeback after two weeks out with injury.
Apart from scoring two tries – the first a special leap to claim a bomb, and the second supporting Darius Boyd to score on the inside – the Storm flyer seemed to be everywhere. Slater was defusing bombs, supporting the play, making tackles, breaking the line and linking with his teammates superbly.
Johnathan Thurston won the man of the match award, but Slater would have been an equally deserving recipient.
With so many good fullbacks in the Kangaroos, the 30-year-old has managed to keep his starting spot, which is no mean feat.
With his performance today he has well and truly put to bed the error he made in the 2008 decider in Brisbane.
In the 60th minute of that game, he threw the ball infield to no one, where Benji Marshall picked it up and scored. That put New Zealand ahead 22-16, and they went on to win 34-20.
Slater is the kind of mentally strong character who wouldn’t have let that kind of mistake get to him in the long run. He has a big game temperament and has proven his mettle on several occasions.
An error like that in a World Cup final would have cruelled weaker players.
But surely the Innisfail product will take some serious satisfaction from the result in Manchester this morning – kind of putting right a small wrong of five years ago.
World Cup captain Cameron Smith had refuted suggestions that revenge was on the minds of the Kangaroos team. That they didn’t want payback. That the loss in 2008 was well and truly behind him. That they’ve gotten over the pain.
It was a line that was hard to swallow.
In the post-match press conference Smith admitted that the shock at Lang Park in the last World Cup might just have provided some extra motivation at this tournament.
“I probably told a little white lie on the way there that this didn’t mean much against what happened in 2008,” Smith told the media.
“But standing there on that field after the match, I think a little bit of that disappointement from 2008 is erased.”
There are only five survivors of that final five years ago who are still members of the Kangaroos. Smith is one, along with Slater, Thurston, Greg Inglis and Paul Gallen.
Karmichael Hunt plays AFL, Petero Civoniceva, Craig Fitzgibbon and Darren Lockyer are all retired, Anthony Laffranchi and Brent Kite now represent other countries, Joel Monaghan is in Super League, Israel Folau is a Wallaby, Anthony Watmough is injured, while Anthony Tupou, Glenn Stewart and David Williams are no longer in the national team.
Even the coach, Ricky Stuart, is long gone. But Slater remains.
A career as great as his was never going to be defined by one game, or by one mistake. But I’m sure the Queensland #1 will afford himself a special sense of satisfaction for a job well done, with the World Cup back in he and his teammates’ grasp.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Muzz
Guest
Can't wait for origin . Good night mate
V.O.R.
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Unbelievable.....good night Muzz..... ;)
Muzz
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Wow, We agreed on something GI # 1 Slater # 2 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
V.O.R.
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Muzz, you are talking a bit of dribble mate...I agree, time to move on.
Muzz
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Hardly flustered VOR....Keep dreaming buddy... I wonder if Australia had lost in similar fashion as the last world cup, would you still be here????? You haven't uploaded any OLD Slater magic for a while,i hope i didn't put you off : ) The debate over who is the better fullback became a bore around about midnight last night as its been going for over a month....TIME TO MOVE ON
V.O.R.
Guest
Muzz...a bit flustered mate...your first thread is irrelevant....I thought we were 'discussing' who we believe to be the best fullback in Australia. The fact that you admit you maybe jumped the gun on writing Slater off is neither here nor there. For the record, I am hardly boasting....simply stating that the coach, selectors and his peers believe Slater to be the best in his position. "Slater brings a lot to the team that less refined judges of talent may not fully appreciate. ;)" See the smiley Muzz? I was just having a little dig...go have a lie down 'ol son.
Muzz
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Did you read my first thread?????????? I was praising the guy but your constant need to boast is childish.....Take another look at how Slater helped SBW up after the game and you may learn about sportsmanship.....To suggest that you have more refined judgement of talent is just arrogant and ignorant..... The only thing you do have is a difference of opinion..... If GI had played at fullback and DCE at halfback the score would have been pretty much the same....We are blessed to have so much talent and depth at the moment.
V.O.R.
Guest
Mate you got one thing right...our opinions differ. You must have been looking the other way during this years State of Origin series. That's your litmus test right there. If Slater wasn't the best, Inglis would have his Kangaroos jumper as there is no shortage of talented centres to fill that hole. Fair dinkum. Billy Slater also went over for 18 tries in 2013, his third best career effort to 19 in 2003 and 20 in 2005....There's a lot of rubbish thrown up about Slater by grandstand experts feeding off media tripe, dunno why they just can't recognise what his peers do...none of them would swap him out for Inglis.
Muzz
Guest
V.O.R I'm not the only one that thinks GI is the best fullback in the world and just as well for Australia GI can play more than one position...There are millions of NRL fans that do and have based their view on a entire club season which is a fairer indicator than a LOPSIDED tournament and a WHITE WASH of a Final.....When the Roosters beat the Eels 50-0 in 2013 Mini looked like the worlds best fullback and when Newcastle eliminated the Storm in the Preliminary final at Aimee Stadium Slater looked average at best.Lets see how he goes again next season when the bar should be even higher than 2013...We just have a different opinion and there is nothing wrong with that.
V.O.R.
Guest
Say hypothetically that GI could only play the position of fullback....just say...he still would not get on in front of Slater...In Muzz world you may of convinced yourself that GI is a better fullback however from the Kangaroos coach's comments regarding Billy... it is clear he does not agree with you either. Slater brings a lot to the team that less refined judges of talent may not fully appreciate. ;)
Muzz
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Nice pics and a nice looking ladder.
I'mastormtrooper2
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OFF THE STORM SITE ... RLWC PICS ... http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/photogallerydisplay/Rugby-League-World-Cup-Final/6343
I'mastormtrooper2
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http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/rugby-league-world-cup-billy-slater-salutes-physio-after-fairytale-comeback-20131201-2yjgw.html There's always another season, SOO or Australian team for GI to prove himself to me ... Billy will take it on the chin and in his stride ... I read today that GI is perfectly fine about Slater being #1 ... He probably understands, there's something he still can improve on from 'THE MASTER" ... Bring on 2014 (draw out on Wednesday) ... But, before that happens GI has to have his arm checked out and both could do with a half decent break before they start training. PS:- Cooper Cronk up for Sportsman Award tomorrow night ... GO COOP'S
Muzz
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GI is still the better fullback but it's a team sport and we must do whats best for the team and the strongest line up was with both of them playing.
Muzz
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He gave his medal to the physio,what a trooper !
V.O.R.
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Good to see you're coming around Muzz ;)
I'mastormtrooper2
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Billy is, and has always been about not resting on his laurels ... He still believes he's got room for improvement ... Born a natural athlete and league has been a sport of a generational persuation on both sides of his famly ... What did Sheen's say, "he could coach the team" - When he's on the field, you can almost hear his thoughts ... His plan of attack, procedure, and read of play ... Ever present, evervesant ... Perhaps coaching is where Slater's career will head, at the Storm ??? Or, perhaps he'll hang up his boots and go into horse racing or horse breeding - His wife, an obviously patient women, supports her husband's success and he hers ... She is an exceptional artist (Nicole Rose Art), and although he is relatively young, at some time he may have to consider her, their family and his physical health and wellbeing ...
Muzz
Guest
I think i may get one too but have to hide it from my kids as only red white and blue allowed in this house. I dont think enough credit has been given to the special jumper as it may have reignited Slaters career and i will always refer to it as "That Jumper"
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Checked out Slater on twitter - His book - "Billy Slater - Number One" is out and he'll be doing signing in Melbourne in a few weeks - just perfect for the coffee table he says - PERFECT - it will fit in with my lounge room collection ... Dang !!! I live a little too far from Melbourne town - :-/ ... Surely, the Storm will have a special deal for members ??? Noel, any chance of blowing the whistle for the Slater team ??? I'd love to have one extra to donate to my local school.
Muzz
Guest
Look what the cat dragged in : )