How a seemingly innocent act by Queensland boss Billy Slater left NSW furious just before State of Origin game two
The feud between Billy Slater and Michael Maguire has escalated after the Maroons coach angered the NSW camp by making Maguire wait for a media event just before State of Origin Game II.
It was the first time the pair had faced each other since the NSW coach accused Queensland of living in ‘glass houses’ over their complaints about Reece Walsh being knocked out by Joseph Sua’ali’i’s shock goal in game An.
‘The Blues have been nasty, and Queensland’s sluggishness has added even more tension and animosity to a volatile build-up to State of Origin II,’ News Corp reported.
Slater, Daly Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant reportedly arrived 10 minutes late for the press conference at Federation Square in Melbourne on Tuesday.
“Well, I always like to be on time,” Maguire joked about Slater’s late arrival.
Maguire’s ‘glass houses’ comment was an insinuation that the Maroons were hypocrites for crying foul over the Blues’ heavy-handed treatment of Reece Walsh in the first game – and it was a hot topic at the pre-game press conference.
Queensland fullback Walsh was ruled out after a sickening hit from Blues centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the series opener, which the Maroons won 38-10 to take a 1-0 lead into game two at the MCG on Wednesday night.
Queensland greats of the past, including Slater’s assistant coach Johnathan Thurston, condemned NSW for unfairly targeting Walsh.
Queensland coach Billy Slater (with back to camera) reportedly left the Blues ‘nasty’ when he showed up late to a press conference with Michael Maguire on Tuesday (pictured)
NSW coach Maguire (pictured) noted that he always shows up on time when scolding his opponent
Maguire is usually reserved and diplomatic in a public setting.
His decision to bite back against the Maroons was interpreted in some quarters as a ploy to take the heat off new NSW halfback Mitchell Moses and returning center Latrell Mitchell.
The Blues coach, who did not name which Queenslander he was referring to with the “glass houses” comment, was keen to keep the guessing games going on Tuesday when pressed on the target of his barb.
“I’ll let you decide who it was,” Maguire said.
“I think one thing I do is take care of my players, that’s what the emphasis was.”
The NSW coach and his Queensland counterpart claim they maintain a cordial relationship after working together at the Melbourne Storm more than a decade ago.
Reece Walsh was taken out by Blues center Joseph Sua’ali’i in the series opener and Maguire has insinuated Queensland are hypocrites for crying foul about it
Slater said his relationship with Maguire is good ahead of Wednesday night’s Origin match
“We’re doing well,” Slater said when questioned about the relationship with Maguire.
“We shook hands… we don’t really play, I don’t know if you know that.
‘To be honest, I didn’t feel like the glass house sleigh was aimed at me.
“It was a real focus for us and for me to play my role, which is about keeping my head out of that noise and doing my bit for the team.”