Maroons outcast back in Origin debate as Slater lauds impact

Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has praised the rejuvenation of Corey Horsburgh as the Raiders prop goals to return to the Origin scene.

Horsburgh, who fell out with coach Ricky Stuart final 12 months earlier than making up once more, has been monumental for the Raiders in their 2-0 begin to the season.

In 2023 he made his sole Maroons look however his kind critically dipped and the prop was barely sighted final 12 months.

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Chatting with Fox League after the Raiders’ win over the Broncos, Horsburgh admitted he “obtained off the piss in the low season and obtained on a eating regimen”.

Horsburgh contributed with 132 run metres in opposition to the Broncos and had a strive help.

The 27-year-old was quoted post-match in the Canberra Instances that Origin “has clearly been my aim”.

Now Slater has given him a vote of confidence.

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“We noticed a few years in the past he was able to it,” he stated on 9’s The Billy Slater podcast.

“It simply reveals you once you commit your self and also you get your self good and match, what you possibly can really do.”

Horsburgh performed 52 minutes for the Raiders in opposition to the Broncos and supplied a brutal one-two punch with front-row accomplice Josh Papalii.

Slater was impressed with the workload of each males straight from the outset.

“I believed they have been incredible, they really complemented one another,” he stated.

“Off the primary set of six, the Broncos kicked off they usually each had carries in that first set and that was noticeable and that set the usual for not solely their group nevertheless it set the usual for them they usually went on to be two of the most effective gamers in the sport.

“Huge Papa went on to choose up a strive earlier than he had a relaxation in the primary half and Corey Horsburgh, he performed big minutes, which he can, we all know he can do this and he is given himself an opportunity to play his greatest soccer due to the work he is put in in the low season.

“My coach (Craig Bellamy) all the time stated, it is laborious to have a superb season when you do not have a superb low season.

“It does not assure you a superb season in case you have a superb pre-season nevertheless it definitely units you up, it definitely offers you a chance and you’ll see Huge Crimson, he is given himself an important alternative to have a superb season due to the work he is put in earlier than March.”