- Billy Slater reveals the conversation he had with Selwyn Cobbo
- Media had reported that the pair were not on good terms
Maroons coach Billy Slater has lifted the lid on what was said in a phone to superstar Selwyn Cobbo after reports the pair had clashed ahead of the series decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Channel Nine reported there had been a rift between Slater and Cobbo during Queensland training sessions.
The 22-year-old was surprisingly selected on the bench for the series opener and played a vital role after Reece Walsh’s early head injury.
Despite his initial success, Cobbo was left out of the team for Game 2. The Queensland camp cited Cobbo’s mental burnout and desire to return home as reasons for his omission.
Slater, who has dubbed the reports as fake news, has now revealed that Cobbo called him after seeing the reports.
‘Selwyn called me because his family were calling him about it,’ Slater said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
‘I just told him ‘mate, just relax, we’re good, we’re good’.
‘He’s in a great place, Selwyn. He’s a great young man.’
Billy Slater (pictured) revealed Selwyb Cobbo called him after reports surfaced that the pair had had a falling out
Slater says he assured the young gun that there was no problems between them
Critics scrutinised Slater’s preparation ahead of Origin III, suggesting he was rattled.
High-profile former Blue Ben Elias claimed that Slater’s actions indicated signs of weakness.
‘There’s no two ways about it, he is doing things he has not normally done. He works very hard and is very comprehensive and an exceptional coach. But I see in these anecdotes he has changed his way of preparation,’ Elias said before Game II.
Slater’s decision to pull players from media interviews and shield some from reporters was also questioned.
The exclusion of Gold Coast forward David Fifita from the series has added to the scrutiny.
Paul Gallen, Slater’s Channel Nine colleague, stated he had never seen Slater so rattled, referencing his ‘Queenslander’ comments after the loss in Origin II.
