Billy Slater has bristled at questions regarding his future as Queensland coach.
Slater is in the second year of a two-year contract to lead the Maroons, and was asked if he intended to stay on next year and beyond.
The Storm legend’s name has been mentioned several times throughout 2023, with several NRL coaches under pressure to hold their jobs.
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His management was reportedly approached by the Dragons earlier this year to feel out his interest in that job, and Slater had also been floated as a potential replacement for Craig Bellamy when he decides to finish up.
But speaking to media in Brisbane on Tuesday ahead of Origin II, Slater was in no mood to talk about his future.
“That’s not a question for now,” he said.
“We’re heading to a State of Origin game two at Suncorp Stadium in 36 hours time … this is not about me.
“This is about the 34 players that will play tomorrow night, that will go into battle, and play for their state and their people. That’s what this is about right now.”
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Slater added that he had enjoyed his time in the Maroons saddle, describing it as a “great experience”.
Slater was given the Queensland job despite having never coached a first-grade game. He has spent his post-playing career juggling media roles with Nine with specialist coaching roles, including a stint working with St Kilda in the AFL.
In April, he said he wouldn’t rule out a full-time coaching role.
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“Look there’s been a lot of talk, whether it be the Dragons or Melbourne Storm coaching job, I’ve learnt along my journey to keep my head where my feet are and that you concentrate on the job at hand and not look too far ahead,” he said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“I’d never say no … but at the moment I’m really happy with what I’m doing, I enjoy the jobs that I’ve got in front of me at the moment and like I said I didn’t think I’d ever coach Queensland but a couple of years ago that changed.
“Who knows what the future holds but at the moment I’m really happy with where I’m at … my occupations and my life in general.”
Slater’s Queensland troops will look to wrap up a second successive Origin series against New South Wales on Wednesday night.
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