Billy Slater opens up on phone call with Daly Cherry-Evans... and responds to scapegoat claim
Maroons coach Billy Slater has explained the decision to drop Daly Cherry-Evans, while opening up on the phone call where he delivered the hard news to his former teammate.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
Queensland announced its 20-man squad for the must-win game at Perth on Monday, with Slater confirming the Maroons would reveal their final team on Tuesday.
While the make-up of that side remains to be seen, one thing that is certain is that Cherry-Evans will not feature while Beau Fermor was the other Maroons player to miss out.
Tom Dearden will come into the team to replace Cherry-Evans while the versatile Kurt Capewell is expected to join the 17 and potentially push into the starting side.
Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Slater as expected didn't offer too much detail on exactly why Cherry-Evans was left out of the squad but said Dearden had 'earned the opportunity' to take over as halfback.
'We don't take any decision lightly, whether it's a player keeping their spot or another player coming in. All Queenslanders are considered,' Slater explained.
'We just feel Tom is the right person for the number seven jersey right now. First of all, you won't hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans.
'What he has given this jersey and what he has done for this footy team and this group, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life.
'No one can take that away from him. We just feel that Tom Dearden has earned the opportunity to play in the number seven jersey.'
Slater called Cherry-Evans on Sunday to let him know he had been dropped and said the veteran halfback 'took the news with great character and great respect'.
'Obviously Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed that he wasn't going to get the opportunity,' added Slater, who played alongside Cherry-Evans during his Origin career.
'We had a good conversation and we have a great relationship. I have played along Daly, and I've been the coach and he has been the captain over the last four years. We have shared some great memories and he has done some really good things.
'They are tough conversations but it was one that was had with a lot of respect.'
Slater, meanwhile, dismissed any suggestions that Cherry-Evans was a scapegoat for Queensland's Game 1 loss, especially considering the forward pack struggled to give him a platform to play off.
'Well, it's not the case,' he said.
'It's just a case of the best person for the position. I'm sure people have their opinion. I'm sure you'll have your opinion on it. It is what it is.
'At the end of the day, when you're in this position to make decisions you've got to think (of) what the best thing is for the footy team and that is what we thought.'
There are some question marks over the make-up of Queensland's new-look halves pairing considering Cherry-Evans had been the dominant kicking option when in the squad while both Dearden and Munster are naturally run-first players.
Dearden has been developing in clubland as more of a traditional halfback following Chad Townsend's departure, but Slater also said that the Cowboys playmaker will 'get a bit of help' when asked whether the 24-year-old can take control in the Origin arena.
'There are some good players in and around him,' added Slater.
Cherry-Evans' omission also leaves Slater with a leadership void and the Maroons coach said the new Queensland captain would be announced on Tuesday, with Harry Grant and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui expected to be among the leading candidates.
'We've got quite a few club captains,' Slater said.
'Quite a few leaders within the footy team, so I feel whenever you play for the Queensland team you're a leader in your own right anyway, no matter how old you are or what you've done in the past.
'Whoever is named captain, they're going to get a fair bit of support from the leaders around him.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Cricket world says same thing on South Africa star Kagiso Rabada
Controversial South African quick Kagiso Rabada has ignited a gloomy start to the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's. At lunch on the opening day in London, Australia is in trouble at 4/67, with the under pressure Marnus Labuschagne dismissed for 17 and Travis Head (11) falling on the final ball of the session, leaving Steve Smith (26 not out) at the crease. Labuschagne showed some good signs in his experiment as an opener, facing 56 balls before falling to Marco Jansen, but Rabada (2/9) was the star of the opening session. The 30-year-old is one of the biggest threats in world cricket, currently second behind India's Jasprit Bumrah in the ICC Test rankings, narrowly ahead of Australian duo Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. But Rabada became embroiled in controversy earlier this year over a positive test for a recreational drug that was initially unreported before the Proteas star was handed a light sentence. Former Australian captain Tim Paine was among those slamming the process that allowed Rabada to serve a brief ban before being cleared to play this final at Lord's, with the Tasmanian declaring 'it stinks'. Watch Kagiso Rabada's two wickets in the video player above 'Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month,' Paine said on SEN Radio last month. 'A guy can be taken out of the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he's already served his ban. 'If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it, I think people deserve to know what he's taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it (the suspension). People need to be held to account for stuff like that.' The positive test was recorded during the South African T20 league in January, but Rabada went to India and played for Gujarat Titans before taking a 'provisional suspension' that ended early last month. Under World Anti-Doping Authority regulations, a positive test is regarded as 'out of competition' if the player can prove the drug use took place before 11.59pm on the eve of competition and was not intended to enhance performance. And Rabada has so far taken full advantage of his green light to face Australia, picking up Usman Khawaja for a duck and Cameron Green (4) in the space of four balls as South Africa made a strong start to this one-off Test. 'Another one, two in the over, South Africa are on fire!' Ian Smith said on Prime Video. 'Rabada has removed Green, just like that, two great slips catches in one over.' The only surprise was that Rabada only bowled an initial six-over spell and didn't return to the attack. While there were some cheeky comments on social media referencing Rabada's drugs ban, many more were using similar words to Smith to describe his impressive start at Lord's. X was covered in fire emojis as cricket fans celebrated his opening spell against the reigning WTC champions. 'Kagiso Rabada ignites Lord's! Khawaja's duck and Green's 4 fall in one devastating over,' was one comment on X. 'Kagiso Rabada on fire,' wrote another. 'Kagiso Rabada lights up the WTC with two wickets in one over, pure pace precision and big match temperament on full display,' offered a third. 'Kagiso Rabada the man on fire, two quick wickets in WTCFinal 2025,' said a fourth. A fifth added: 'Australia rocked early! Rabada breathing fire in the #WTCFinal as South Africa dream big.' South Africa's big call after winning toss South African captain Temba Bavuma made a huge decision after winning the toss, sending Australia in to bat in overcast conditions. 'We'll have a bowl first,' Bavuma said. 'Surface looks a good one, overhead conditions dictate that we'll bowl first, while we have the new ball we'll try to make some inroads in the Australian batting line-up.' Cummins then said his side was quite pleased to be getting first crack with the bat. 'We're happy to bat first. Looks like a pretty good wicket, a few clouds but pretty normal for England,' he said. 'Looks pretty dry, might turn later in the match.' The Aussie skipper was also asked about Labuschagne as he opened for the first time in Test cricket against a strong South African pace attack. 'He'll get straight into it. Preparation has been unreal, there's been 15 guys pushing for that final 11. 'All the guys in the team are ready to go. 'We've had a really good, about 10-day preparation and we're ready to go.' Labuschagne looking good early on Labuschagne looked in good touch early, playing his first two shots confidently off the middle of the bat, a defensive stroke and a more aggressive attempt that didn't beat the field. The 30-year-old Queenslander was under an intense microscope as he became Khawaja's fifth opening partner since David Warner's retirement and was picked ahead of young tyro Sam Konstas. Labuschagne started ticking the score over while Khawaja faced 20 balls without getting off the mark, getting a thick edge from Proteas danger man Rabada that was well taken by David Bedingham at first slip. Four balls later, Australia's new No. 3 Green was also heading back to the pavilion. The tall Aussie played a false stroke that flew to the slips cordon, with Aiden Markram taking a great catch. Fans were quick to vent their feelings online towards South Africa's decision to bowl and the new look Australian top order. X account Aus Cricket Fan wrote: 'If the opposition is bowling first and you have a very new looking top order, it really doesn't give you much confidence.' Coach Lukas tweeted: 'That's a very strange decision to bowl first by South Africa. Maybe labushange opening and green at 3 they sense an opportunity.'
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Matildas star Ellie Carpenter ties knot with Dutch football Danielle van de Donk in stunning wedding
Ellie Carpenter has shared two stunning photos from her wedding to Dutch footballer Danielle van de Donk. The couple, who went with public with their relationship in 2023, announced their engagement in January 2024. They met while playing for French women's football club Lyon. Carpenter, 25, took personal leave from the last Matildas window to put the finishing touches on the wedding which is believed to have been held in France at the weekend. Details of the wedding have been hard to come by. Matildas teammate Teagan Micah was part of the wedding party- making a quick trip to France after helping the Matildas beat Argentina earlier this month. Carpenter took to Instagram on Wednesday night to share two photos of the happy couple with the caption 'I choose you. I always choose you.' Both are wearing traditional white gowns. Carpenter donned a veil while van de Donk's dress had a stunning lace front. Teammates were quick to share their congratulations. Steph Catley wrote 'Stunning, what a day'. Micah commented 'the most beautiful brides'. Emily Gielnik wrote 'holy smokes you two are absolutely stunning. Best day ever. Love you both so much.' Carpenter isn't the only Matilda to tie the knot this month. Midfielder Katrina Gorry is due to marry her partner Clare Markstedt this weekend in Australia.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Should there be concern for Capewell?
NRL: The NRL 360 panel look into if Kurt Kapewell deserved to be picked for the Maroons in Game Two.
