Queensland legend Billy Slater refuses to take off his State of Origin jersey until 9am the next day – because he wanted to delay removing it for the final time
- State of Origin legend Billy Slater kept his uniform on for hours after the game
- Slater captained Queensland to victory in Wednesday’s game against NSW
- Star fullback kept his jersey on for as long as possible after the final whistle
State of Origin legend Billy Slater has revealed he kept his entire uniform on for hours after the game had ended – as he wanted to delay taking it off for the last time.
The star fullback captained Queensland to victory over New South Wales in game three of the series at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The morning after the game, Slater said he kept the team uniform on for as long as he could.
State of Origin legend Billy Slater has revealed he kept his entire uniform on for hours after the game had ended – as he wanted to delay taking it off for the last time
The star fullback captained Queensland to victory over New South Wales in game three of the series at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night (Pictured: Slater with wife Nicole and children Tyla and Jake)
‘Once I took that Maroons jersey off, I wasn’t going to be able to put another one back on so I stayed in it as long as possible,’ he said.
Slater revealed he kept the jersey on until 9am the next day.
He was the surprise recipient of the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series on Wednesday night, despite playing for the losing side and playing in only two games.
Even Slater himself suggested the medal could have been awarded to someone else, noting after the match: ‘I only played two games this year so it’s a bit surprising’.
Slater is the first recipient of the Wally Lewis Medal to have played in the losing side of the series.
Ahead of the game, Slater paid tribute to his childhood sweetheart and now wife Nicole, and said he would miss both the intensity of State of Origin as well as the fans.
Slater was the surprise recipient of the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series on Wednesday night, despite playing for the losing side and playing in only two games
The Maroons clinched Wednesday night’s dead rubber 18-12 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium after an epic contest.
New South Wales had already wrapped up the series after winning the first two games.
Slater finished his representative career on a high as captain of the Maroons for his 31st and final game.
Slater finished his representative career on a high as captain of the Maroons for his 31st and final game
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