Social media goes wild for Queensland’s ‘hot dad’ Origin coach Billy Slater

Maroons coach Billy Slater engineered Queensland’s classic come-from-behind win in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night. 

But it wasn’t the rugby league that had social media talking, with social media going gaga for the ‘smoking hot’ 39-year-old.

‘My interest in State of Origin is now rekindled thanks to Billy Slater’s transition to smoking hot dad,’ wrote one Twitter user before the game.

‘I don’t mind a bit of Billy,’ added several Instagram users on a satirical post suggesting ‘Noosa mums’ were watching the former NRL star’s press conferences in droves.

‘Such blue eyes,’ gushed another fan.

The retired Melbourne Storm fullback has been married to wife Nicole Slater since 2009.

The couple share two children: daughter Tyla Rose and son Jake.

Slater coached his underdog team to a classic victory on Wednesday night. 

After taking a 10-6 lead into the half time break, the Maroons put in a monumental effort to keep their arch rivals at bay, with the reigning shield-holders penned against their own tryline for much of the first half. 

But it wasn’t the rugby league that had social media talking, with social media going gaga for the ‘smoking hot’ 39-year-old

The Blues took the lead straight after the break and the lead changed hands for much of the second 40 minutes, until Thomas Flegler’s sin bin appeared to put the game to bed for NSW, who were two points up.

But the Maroons – with Smith’s inspirational words ringing in their ears, dug in and despite being down to 12 men, scored two late tries to snatch the contest from NSW.

The Blues now have an uphill battle ahead of them if they wish to turn the three-match series around, as they will need to win on enemy soil – at Suncorp Stadium – to regain the shield.

‘I don’t mind a bit of Billy,’ added several Instagram users on a satirical post suggesting ‘Noosa mums’ were watching the former NRL star’s press conferences in droves

The retired Melbourne Storm fullback has been married to wife Nicole Slater since 2009. Pictured together in 2018

‘This is an almighty win, people in Queensland will be very proud of their team,’ Slater said.

‘We put ourselves in a position (to win) because I know that that’s a trait of Queensland.

‘I’m sure NSW is the same… but Queensland goes through drought, cyclones, flood, they go through a lot of adversity and we try and represent our people in that way as well.

‘I think that’s what makes our people so proud of this footy team and that’s why this footy team is such an inspiration for our people.’

The couple share two children: daughter Tyla Rose and son Jake. Both pictured