Advertisement

Jaydn Su'A sends brutal message to Billy Slater as Queensland Origin coach called out again

The Dragons back-rower showed the Maroons what they'll be missing in the State of Origin decider.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

Jaydn Su'A was an absolute beast for the Dragons against the Broncos on Saturday night, sparking fresh questions about Billy Slater's decision not to pick him for the State of Origin decider. The talk of the NRL world has been Slater's continued refusal to pick David Fifita for the Maroons, but Su'A could arguably feel just as hard done by.

Slater has opted to promote Kurt Capewell to his starting side and keep Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi in the 17, despite Fifita and Su'A being in good form. To be fair, Su'A had a shocker in Queensland's loss in Origin 2 and didn't exactly aim up for the Dragons in the following game against the Roosters.

Jaydn Su'A and Billy Slater.
Jaydn Su'A sent a message to Billy Slater after being dropped for State of Origin 3. Image: Getty

But none of the Maroons or Dragons players stood up in either of those games. On Saturday night, Su'A showed he's every bit an Origin player as he helped the Dragons forwards dominate the Broncos pack on the same ground where Origin 3 will be held on Wednesday night.

Su'A played 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium, scoring a try and running for 162 metres with nine tackle breaks. He also produced an offload and 28 tackles to send a pointed message to Slater.

Dragons players, pictured here celebrating a Jaydn Su'A try against the Broncos.
Dragons players celebrate a Jaydn Su'A try against the Broncos. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

"I was disappointed (to be dropped), but that's just the way it goes and the way the ball rolls and Billy (Slater) knows what he's doing," Su'A said after the Dragons' 30-26 victory. "Just spending the two camps with him, it was crazy the knowledge he has and I'm really fortunate and grateful for him to give me those two games.

"Look, I was disappointed. I was more so disappointed for my family. They ride the highs and lows and that was upsetting. They really wanted me to play well this weekend (for the Dragons) and I kind of did that, kind of didn't, but we got the win."

Su'A said he was confident he'd be back playing Origin football again in the future. "Yeah, definitely," he said. "I was confident that I could get back to that stage and I got back there and I haven't lost any confidence not being there for Game 3.

"I'll do whatever I can to get back to that team. It's a special team and it's obviously something that all young Queenslanders strive for. (Playing Origin) was probably my biggest motivating factor going into the year and I got there, but I didn't stay there, which is disappointing. It's just about getting a bit more consistent and working on a few things I need to work on."

RELATED:

Slater said Su'A was "nursing a few issues" and getting scans on an issue he picked up against the Roosters when explaining his omission for Origin 3. Su'A had a scan on his quad on Monday but said he was fine to play against the Broncos.

Fans and commentators were left questioning whether Slater had erred in not picking Su'A after Saturday night's display. Channel 9 columnist 'The Mole' described it as a 'slip-up', while NSW greats Benny Elias and Paul Gallen have both suggested Slater is feeling the pressure.

"There's no two ways about it, he is doing things he has not normally done," Elias said on the Sky Sports radio. "He works very hard and is very comprehensive and an exceptional coach. And I love every manner he does.

"But I see in these anecdotes he has changed his way of preparation. He has certainly changed his way for Game 3 than he has for all other games. There are mannerisms he has done, and actions he has presented that are totally different ... Seeing it from afar, that is the first sign of weakness."

with AAP