Retiring Queensland great Billy Slater says he would trade the Maroons captaincy for one more chance to run alongside good friend Greg Inglis.
Inglis broke his thumb in South Sydney’s NRL win over North Queensland just before the Maroons were due to unveil their Origin III line‑up last Sunday night.
Slater was humbled to receive the Queensland reins for the first time in what will be his 31st and final Origin next week Wednesday in game three in Brisbane.
But the veteran fullback said it would not quite be the same without Inglis by his side.
Slater and Inglis are the last men standing from Queensland’s 2006 team that launched their remarkable run of 11 series wins in the last 12 years.
Slater takes over one of Queensland’s most inexperienced teams with 32‑Origin veteran Inglis sidelined and the Maroons starting life will be without Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
The Maroons will take on NSW Blues in game three of the State of Origin at 10pm next Wednesday.
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