Latest news with #BillySlater
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Billy Slater concedes second Origin winner is unlikely to return for Maroons in 2026
Queensland coach Billy Slater admits he might need a new assistant coach for their State of Origin defence in 2026, with Josh Hannay strongly tipped to land an NRL head coaching role. With veteran prop Josh Papalii playing his 24th and final Origin game after coming out of rep retirement in the series-deciding Game 3 victory, Slater concedes it will be a new-look Queensland setup next year. Slater says he would be 'surprised' if Hannay was not in charge of an NRL club in 2026, with a number of current coaches in the firing line after poor seasons. Hannay has been strongly linked to the role at the Titans, amid reports veteran coach Des Hasler is on borrowed time on the Gold Coast. Hasler has a clause in his contract meaning the Titans can sack him now they are mathematically out of finals contention this season, following last weekend's loss to Brisbane. The veteran coach wants to see out the final year of his contract in 2026 but there's a growing sense that Hasler won't be there next year and Hannay has emerged as a frontrunner for the job. Newcastle could also be on the lookout for a new coach, amid reports the club is set to part ways with Adam O'Brien at the end of the season after an underwhelming campaign for the Knights. And Todd Payten's coaching position is also under threat at the Cowboys, who have dropped out of the top-eight after five losses in their last six games to sit in 12th spot on the ladder. North Queensland made the second week of the finals in 2024 but have struggled for consistency under Payten since he took over in 2021. Hannay - who is currently working under Craig Fitzgibbon at Cronulla - previous worked as an assistant at the Cowboys and played 150 games for the club, and would be a popular choice to succeed Payten if North Queensland decided to change coaches. RELATED: Roosters playmaker tipped to exit after being overlooked for veteran Fury over Panthers star's ban after Parra rival cops season-ending injury Knights offer contracts to two State of Origin players amid Ponga blow But with uncertainty around the future of at least three NRL head coaches, and Hannay emerging as one of the leading candidates to succeed them, Slater is convinced he will need to find a new assistant for Queensland in 2026. "I'd be surprised if he is involved in State of Origin next year, unfortunately for us," the Maroons coach told Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast. "He's been a real rock for me in terms of the last four years at State of Origin level, I have leant on him immensely. He really understands the game, he sees the game really well, he's got great philosophies. I'd be really surprised if he was involved in the Origin series next year, I was probably surprised that he was involved this year. "I think he's ready to be an NRL head coach, and I wish him all the best when that opportunity arises for him. I've got great respect for Josh, I've got great appreciation for what he's done for myself and this footy team over the last four years... even before that, he was involved before I was the head coach. He's definitely going to be a good NRL coach and I look forward to seeing which team he gets that opportunity with."
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Billy picked the Origin winning side: The Billy Slater Podcast EP 19
Queensland coach Billy Slater takes you inside the Maroons' historic State of Origin series victory! Hear his candid reflections on the Game 3 decider, the courageous leadership of Cameron Munster, and the calculated decisions made throughout the series. Plus, Billy breaks down all the key NRL Round 19 action, celebrates the Billy M Medal winner for the week, answers your listener questions, and delivers his Ampol Power Rankings. The Billy Slater Podcast with Billy and Peter Psaltis thanks to TAB - For the best time in sport, TAB has the best app in sport. TAB, We're On. Send through your questions to Billy billyslaterpodcast@
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
How Billy picked the Origin winning side: The Billy Slater Podcast EP 19
Queensland coach Billy Slater takes you inside the Maroons' historic State of Origin series victory! Hear his candid reflections on the Game 3 decider, the courageous leadership of Cameron Munster, and the calculated decisions made throughout the series. Plus, Billy breaks down all the key NRL Round 19 action, celebrates the Billy M Medal winner for the week, answers your listener questions, and delivers his Ampol Power Rankings. The Billy Slater Podcast with Billy and Peter Psaltis thanks to TAB - For the best time in sport, TAB has the best app in sport. TAB, We're On. Send through your questions to Billy billyslaterpodcast@
ABC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
InZane Rugby League: Allan Langer - It was Qld's greatest series win
On Inzane Rugby League this week, Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams are joined by Maroons great and Queensland Origin assistant coach Allan Langer. The man they call 'Alfie' is still recovering from all of the celebrations following Queensland's epic come from behind series win away from home in 2025. Having been part of the 1987 series win and involved in the coaching set-up in 2006 and 2020, Langer says he always had faith that Billy Slater and Tom Dearden could pilot the Maroons to victory. Langer also called for Dearden to be the Australian halfback in the end of season Tests in the UK.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Zara Tindall dons rugby merch as she joins husband Mike to watch game in 'home away from home' Australia
Zara and Mike Tindall appeared in high spirits as they attended the 2025 State of Origin decider in Australia, where Zara previously dubbed her 'home away from home'. Former rugby union player Mike, 46, shared a glimpse of the fun at Sydney 's Accor Stadium on Instagram today, marvelling over the rugby game's 'incredible atmosphere' that saw Queensland 's victory over New South Wales. Princess Anne 's daughter, 44, looked radiant in the sweet selfie shared by her husband, and she ditched her usual formal clothes for casual attire, including a rugby merchandise scarf. While Zara's family members have been enjoying a spot of tennis in London 's balmy temperatures at Wimbledon, she wrapped up warm in a jumper and scarf to protect herself against Sydney's winter chill. After being spotted cheering on from the sidelines by Australian TV channel Nine, Mike, dressed in jeans and a black jacket, and Zara posed on the pitch after the game on Wednesday. Mike and Zara, who are parents to their three children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas, attended the event as guests of Maroons coach Billy Slater's wife, Nicole Slater. The pair are understood to be good friends with Maroons boss Slater, after they crossed paths at a polo event in Queensland back in January 2024. Slater teamed up with Mike and Australian polo star, Ruki Ballieau, for the celebrity polo match at the Magic Millions Showjumping and Polo Day last year. The State of Origin is an annual rugby league series between the New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons, with the latter winning the series 2-1 on Wednesday. Father-of-three Mike wrote in the caption, 'So so so good to be at the 'Decider' of #stateoforigin2025. 'Incredible atmosphere and fair play to the Maroons after an emotional week, being able to put that emotion on the field in a great team performance. Thanks to @b1slater and @nicoleroseart for looking after us so well. 'Was amazing to be in the changing rooms and see everything that makes rugby (both codes) an incredible sport.' Zara and Mike are no strangers in Australia, and typically travel there each year to attend the Magic Millions. The duo, who have been married for 13 years, are brand ambassadors for the racehorse auction house Magic Millions, a deal that reportedly earns them £125,000 every year. Talking to Hello, Zara, previously explained: 'We have always loved Australia, and it is like a home from home for us... although the Magic Millions carnival is couldn't ask for a better way to start the year'. It comes after Zara joined her topless husband Mike as they were filmed singing while sporting hard hats and swigging beers. The granddaughter of the late Queen and her rugby player husband attended an exclusive UK festival - believed to be a private party thrown by the Tindalls - over the weekend. After dressing formally for Royal Ascot the week prior, the royals were seen letting their hair down, instead donning hard hats, glittery facepaint and overalls. Mike added a hard hat and was clutching a Peroni, while an excited Zara kept it casual in denim dungarees and a white vest top. The duo, who have been married since 2011, were lip-syncing to TikToker Chilli Chilton's song 9,000 miles, written when she moved to Australia and was 'replaced in six days' by a boy back home. And they were in good company, as Chilli had also enlisted 50 Shades Of Grey star Jamie Dornan to sing along too for her video, which has now racked up nearly 600,000 views. Pointing to the camera while holding his beer, Mike mouthed: 'Problem one, 9,000 f***ing miles', while Zara added: 'Two! It's clearly more one-sided.' Mike and Zara were clearly getting into the party spirit with the builder theme, wearing lanyards reading: 'Authorised site access, permit for work.' Writing in the caption, Chilli joked: 'Just my mates helping me out with promo!' Royal fans were left delighted by seeing such a down-to-earth side to Mike and Zara. They wrote: 'Still can't believe he's a member of the royal family. Absolute love what he does. Keep up the funny work Mike'; 'I wish they would take up some public duties even just the odd thing here and there, they are so relatable'; 'Zara is my fave royal of all time…!'; 'The fact she's The Queens granddaughter Makes this X1000 better'; 'The Tindalls being amazing as always'; 'Zara Tindall appearing on my for you page was not on my bingo card but here we are.' And when one commenter said: 'I love the Tindalls they couldn't care less and just bring the vibes,' Chilli, who posted the song, replied: 'They are honestly the best.' Since their 2011 wedding, Zara and Mike have welcomed three children: Mia in 2014, Lena in 2018 and Lucas in 2021. They have long been known as some of the 'most relaxed' royals, and aren't afraid to show their love for public displays of affection. They're also known for their friendly relationships with everyone in the Royal Family, marking themselves as key players binding members of The Firm together. At Royal Ascot last month, Zara once again showed herself as one of the most affectionate royals, as she greeted her relatives with hugs and kisses. She was even seen affectionately pecking the cheek of her uncle King Charles, 76, as well as her mother, The Princess Royal and close friend, Lady Gabriella Windsor. There were hugs for her cousin Prince William - and they were seen with their arms around one another and chatting merrily. Zara was back in the equestrian world last month, as she attended the Royal Windsor Cup Final. The royal has taken on the role that her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, had previously held at the event. Wearing an on-trend belted navy blue striped white dress, the mother-of-three looked cool in the warm weather. Weather her blonde bob-cut hair under a summer straw boater, the royal cut an elegant figure at the event. She finished the look with a pair of beige heeled sandals, a tan leather clutch bag and some delicate gold drop earrings. The prestigious polo show, held annually, attracts guests from society's highest echelons. The event is one of the top five polo tournaments in the world - wooing the biggest names in the game and their impressive pony power, as well as plenty of famous faces. Zara remains a serious international equestrian competitor, having garnered a gold medal at the European Eventing Championships in 2005 in addition to attaining a silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2006.
