‘Aaron Woods Slams ‘Grub’ Billy Slater for Maroons Selections, Calls Out Former NSW Skipper’

Aaron Woods has ignited the tension ahead of State of Origin game two, launching a fierce tirade during a live radio segment aimed squarely at Maroons coach Billy Slater.

The former front-rower for the NSW Blues took a stand following Slater’s decision to exclude Daly Cherry-Evans from the line-up as they prepare for the crucial showdown in Perth.

The 36-year-old has been omitted from the Queensland squad and will see Tom Dearden, who previously came off the bench during the series opener, stepping in as halfback.

In a reaction on Tuesday morning, the recently retired Woods, who previously played alongside Cherry-Evans at the Sea Eagles, expressed disbelief over the bold selection decision.

“Honestly, I can’t wrap my head around it … this hasn’t been done since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996,” he stated on Triple M’s Breakfast With Beau and Woodsy.

“To me, that’s incredibly poor form from Billy Slater. After game one, you addressed the media saying it wasn’t about the players and that the performance wasn’t up to standard.

“But now you’ve gone and dropped your captain, Daly Cherry-Evans. You claim it’s not scapegoating, but mate, it sure looks like scapegoating to me. You’re not used to copping flak from the media. It seems like he’s been rattled by the backlash; the pressure and criticism have clearly gotten to him.

“He’s lost three games in a row, which is uncommon for Queensland. Cherry-Evans should be in the squad; I’ve heard his remarks regarding his performance in game one.

“There are plenty of other players who should also face the axe, because when you look at someone like Harry Grant — he’s lost all six starts at hooker.

“It’s challenging to perform behind a forward pack that isn’t making gains. For instance, Mo Fotuaika only managed 39 metres in the first game.”

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The exclusion of Cherry-Evans wasn’t the sole change in the lineup, as Beau Fermor was also dropped, with Kurt Capewell stepping into the back-row position. Additionally, Kurt Mann is set to make his Origin debut from the bench.

As the pressure mounts on Slater and the series hangs in the balance, Woods questioned the coach’s integrity and suggested that the intense media scrutiny has affected him.

“You see these blokes up north claiming we (New South Welshmen) don’t understand Origin, and they resort to this pick-and-stick mentality — well, Billy, you’ve just turned on your captain,” he stated.

“I want the genuine Billy Slater to emerge — the tough competitor we remember. This is a guy who kicked John Skandalis in the head and received a six-week suspension.

“Everyone portrays him as such a nice bloke.

“You’ve won your first two series as coach but lost the last. There’s a significant amount of pressure on Billy Slater. I noticed his body language during the press conference, and he doesn’t inspire confidence in his current direction.”