BRISBANE: Billy Slater has his personal harm issues to take care of – however on the identical time, the Queensland coach acquired a extra welcome headache at Magic Spherical.
Whereas there have been devastating scenes on Sunday afternoon when star five-eighth Cameron Munster limped off with a groin harm, there was extra optimistic information lower than 24 hours prior when Murray Taulagi returned from harm for the Cowboys.
The 25-year-old, who has starred for the Maroons previously two sequence, had missed over a month with a hamstring pressure in a serious blow to his State of Origin hopes.
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Nevertheless, his profitable comeback – which noticed North Queensland snap a prolonged dropping streak – will give Slater meals for thought with regards to his outdoors backs.
Talking solely to Broad World of Sports activities over the weekend, Taulagi admitted it will be a troublesome job to be chosen – however reiterated he needs to “earn” the chance slightly than coast on his earlier efforts for his state.
“It is a exhausting one – I most likely have not performed my greatest footy this 12 months,” he stated.
“You have bought [Selwyn] Cobbo and [Xavier] Coates there who’ve been excellent, so it is gonna be a tough one for myself. I have never heard something but – I believe he [Slater] is attempting to maintain that low key, I am not too positive.
“We spoke earlier on within the 12 months about incomes it and that is one factor that I wished to do. I do not wish to simply get picked due to what I’ve accomplished final 12 months.
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“I do know whoever Billy picks will certainly get the job accomplished. I am simply attempting to get again to performing effectively for my membership first and no matter comes from it should come from it.”
Taulagi completed with 14 runs for 156 metres within the slim win over the Rabbitohs, arrange a attempt for Tom Dearden, and made 4 sort out breaks.
North Queensland’s win ended a interval of distress for Todd Payten and his squad, who have been highly-fancied within the pre-season however have struggled for consistency in 2024.
The inclusion of Taulagi has bolstered a number of areas for the Cowboys and the principle factor the winger hoped so as to add upon his return was infectious among the many group.
“I wished to deliver power to the boys – that power hasn’t been there,” he stated.
“I do know I do not make many tackles on the market, however a technique I may help the boys is to deliver power and I felt like I introduced that out tonight.
“I really feel refreshed, however I’ve misplaced a little bit of recreation health. I am nonetheless looking for my ft once more, it has been a month out of footy. I am attempting to get again to the place I left off.”
