Queensland legends accuse Billy Slater of tacitcal and selection blunders

SEN’s Corey Parker has called out Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater for his baffling Game III selections which he believes cost the Maroons in the decider.

Despite growing calls from fans and former Queensland greats, Slater resisted the urge to select David Fifita in his Game III side and instead opted for the experience of Kurt Capewell and Felise Kaufusi.

Whilst Capewell had a solid match without any outstanding moments, Kaufusi only lasted 16 minutes on the field which left Parker dumbfounded as to why he was named as a starter.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I had reservations coming into the game about no David Fifita,” Parker said on SENQ.

“Felise Kaufusi had two runs for five metre, five tackles over 16 minutes worth of work.

“Explain to me how in 16 minutes David Fifita couldn’t do that.

“Let’s assume there’s no background (injury). David Fifita should be in that team.”

SEN’s Andrew McCullough agreed with Parker that Slater took a gamble with Kaufusi but that he ultimately got the selection wrong.

“What Felise does really well is hit the (opposition) halves hard,” McCullough added on SENQ.

“Unless Billy was going down that path, I’m really not too sure (what Kaufusi was doing on the field).

“I said it a few times that I would have David in there as an x-factor, even if it’s just for 20 minutes.

“It’s easy to say that now but I did also say it a couple of weeks ago.”

In addition to the squad selections, several Queensland supporters believe Slater got his starting side wrong as he opted for Moeaki Fotuaika, Harry Grant and Felise Kaufusi to start despite initially being named on the bench.

The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel believes Slater was too smart for his own good and couldn’t understand why Queensland’s best middle forward in Lindsay Collins started the match on the bench.

“I thought Billy got those (decisions) wrong,” Badel told SENQ.

“I liked the decision to start with Grant because he tried his backside off last night and he was really gallant.

“I don’t agree with the Lindsay Collins one because he’s the biggest guy physically in the team.

“44 metres off the bench was insipid and he needed to set the tone at the start. I was disappointed with Collins in this series.

“Kaufusi was perfect to start as the hit man so I don’t think Billy blundered completely but he had to start Collins.

“I know they think Fifita can be a bit lazy (but) I always go with the idea of who would I least like to run straight at me and I would hate David Fifita running at me.

“One big run could’ve burst the game open so I would’ve had Fifita in the team.”

Billy Slater’s record as Queensland coach has now regressed to 2-1 following the 2024 State of Origin series.