Deals Too Big to Miss!
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FRIDAY MAY 27 2016 SPORT 29 Walker to rake it in Slater covering for Farah ponders JAMES MacSMITH DYLAN Walker could be asked to play crucial minutes for NSW at hooker off the in- terchange bench in State of Origin I, as coach Laurie Daley career in gambles with his dummy-half role. The selection of Manly util- ity Walker on the bench has raised the eyebrows of many, but one of his tasks will be to provide cover for Blues No.9 coaching Robbie Farah at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday. LAINE CLARK Farah goes into the game having missed Wests Tigers’ LIFE after footy is not some- last NRL match due to con- thing Billy Slater wants to con- “I do enjoy it cussion. template just yet. He risks going into the Ori- But the recovering fullback (coaching). And gin series opener underdone, might have provided a glimpse having also missed three of it yesterday at the Queens- I am a very matches earlier this year due to land State of Origin camp on passionate a knee injury. the Gold Coast. Farah is hoping to play the Slater has not ruled out one Queenslander” entire match against Queens- day holding the Queensland land. But Walker, who has coaching reins as he mulls over BILLY SLATER played largely as a five-eighth his playing future after surpris- for Manly this season, has been ing onlookers at Maroons The veteran of 27 Origins undergoing a crash course in training. for his beloved Maroons con- the dummy-half role at NSW For a moment, Queensland firmed reports that there were training at Coffs Harbour to appeared to have produced no guarantees over his playing cover for fatigue or injury to their biggest wildcard since an- future, despite his NRL club Farah. nouncing Allan Langer’s 2001 Melbourne providing the best “I am expecting to play 80, comeback. medical expertise. but that is the good thing about Front and centre leading He underwent a second having a utility on the bench the players onto the training major shoulder operation like Dylan Walker who can field was Slater, supposedly barely two months ago. come on and play a number of sidelined for the NRL season Slater lasted just two games positions with the limited in- with a shoulder injury. into a comeback from 2015 terchange,” Farah said. But officials calmed down shoulder surgery when he “If you do lose a player excited onlookers by confirm- pulled the pin in March on this through injury you need to be ing Slater had been recruited NRL season. able to cover that. That is the as a “coaching consultant”. “It’s really tough watching thinking there from (Blues Slater ran through backline footy. I feel like I can still play,” coach) Laurie (Daley) having a plays and gave tips to Darius Slater said. utility on the bench.” Boyd, who will wear the Ma- “But I am very grateful for Farah was confident he had roons’ No.1 jersey with which the opportunity to get back overcome the ill effects of a “Billy the kid” had become into camp.” concussion that resulted in synonymous. Asked if he believed he him missing the Tigers’ win Slater admitted his Queens- could play again, Slater said: “I over Newcastle last week. land coaching stint might be a really hope so. I can’t guaran- “I have done a little bit of sign of things to come. tee anything at the moment.” training on Tuesday, a little bit “I do enjoy it (coaching). In the meantime, Slater in- yesterday — when I get And I am a very passionate tends to enjoy his “consolation through a full week’s training I Queenslander,” Slater said. prize” of assisting the Maroons will have no concerns going “Hopefully, I can learn a bit ahead of Wednesday night’s into the game,” he said. “I just now. Who knows what will series opener in Sydney. have to let the recovery take its happen in the future?” “To be back in the camp and course. I’m certainly no Slater — 33 next month — helping out the outside backs is stranger to going into an Ori- admitted it might be the closest great,” he said. gin game under an injury he would get to the Queens- “I would love to be playing, cloud, but I will be right.” Billy Slater puts Queensland’s players through their paces at Sanctuary Cove Picture: PETER WALLIS land team. but it is not to be this year.” TOYOTA MEANS BUSINESS $ , 49 990 DEALS drive away [A] TOO 2015 FORTUNER GX AUTO BIG TO MISS! toyota.com.au/special-off ers [A] Recommended drive away pricing is applicable for Private, Bronze and Silver fl eet customers, and primary producers only at participating dealers. Off er available on vehicles purchased by 30/06/2016 unless off er is extended. Recommended drive away price shown includes 12 months registration, 12 months compulsory third party insurance (CTP), a maximum dealer delivery charge and stamp duty. T2016-003796 R11575/S/F/HS V1 - NTNE01Z01MA.