Queensland will have a new coach for the 2022 State of Origin series - Maroons legend Billy Slater.
The 38-year-old replaces Paul Green, who stood down earlier this month to refocus on returning to a full-time head-coaching role in the NRL.
Slater is one of the greatest Queensland players of all time, making 31 appearances, and was a key member of the squad that won eight straight series.
The role is Slater's first as a head coach, and shows he has no intention of coaching in the NRL and is only interested in coaching his state.
The former Melbourne Storm star retired from the game in 2018, and has since worked as an analyst for the Nine Network and was a member of the Maroons wider management team in 2021.
"I'm very honoured to have been able to have been involved with the Queensland State of Origin team - firstly as a supporter when I was a young boy, inspired by the team, then I got the opportunity to play for Queensland and be one of those players," Slater says.
"Now I get the chance to help guide and help bring through the next generation.
"It's a great honour to be the Queensland coach. I was drawn to the role, because I care and because it's important to me.
"At the end of the day, I'm a Queenslander - this team means a lot to me, it always has. It has been a big part of my life for the majority of my life and now I get the opportunity to help other people, not only fulfill their dream, but inspire a whole state."
Slater hopes he will be joined in the coaching booth by fellow Maroons legends Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston, with the latter assisting Green in the 2-1 series loss earlier this year.
Queensland Rugby League is said to be keen on finding an experienced mentor to help him in his first coaching role, with Wayne Bennett a possible target for the role.
"It would be irresponsible not to lean on some great people around the Queensland State of Origin team that have been there in the past, that have been successful," Slater says.
"I thought it was important that I had to commit first, then we'll put the pieces of the puzzle together.
"Over the next little period, we'll build a support staff around the players that will best assist the players to play at their optimal level."
"This team means a lot to me. It always has."
Join us on October 3 for live updates of the NRL Grand Final
