Aaron Woods can’t help himself from sticking boot into Billy Slater

By Tyson Otto

The former Wests Tigers captain has cheekily poked fun of Billy Slater in yet another twist to their public war of words just days after he was cautioned against opening his mouth.

The former NSW prop’s verbal battle with Slater has been one of the most talked-about dramas in the State of Origin arena this year.

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Woods was last week called a “coward” by former Blues teammate Ryan Hoffman after he first ignited the war of words by calling the Queensland State of Origin coach a “grub”.

Slater scorched Woods in his final press conference before the Maroons’ win in Game 2 of the series in Perth, suggesting the former Bulldogs forward didn’t deserve the high profile roles he holds in rugby league media.

Woods cheekily referenced Slater’s comments on his 104.9 Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Cat & Woodsy on Tuesday morning.

The 34-year-old’s comments came after Slater announced two selection surprises for the series decider in Sydney next Wednesday with the Maroons coach bringing Josh Papalii out of representative football retirement and handing Broncos flyer Gehamat Shibasaki his first Origin jersey.

“That takes me to my good mate Billy Slater on the Queensland side,” he said.

“And I’ve got to remember it is a privilege, and we’ve got a responsibility being behind his microphone. So when I talk, a lot of people do listen… but, yeah, there’s a bit happening with the Queensland side.”

He said Slater may be playing mind games by selecting Papalii in his starting side, suggesting the Raiders veteran may make a late switch to the bench.

“I’m a big fan of Papa, but it just shows you when you win, it’s not always comfortable,” he said.

“He got rid of Mo Fotuaikai, who I thought did a great job in Perth, and they didn’t pick and stick there. So it’s a funny one for a decider. It must mean he feels a bit of pressure up front, the grunt. He’s lacking a bit of intimidation.”

Slater earlier said Woods had failed to take into consideration the impact of his words, even making a reference to Queensland’s “last coach” before him, Paul Green, who took his life in 2022, in calling out how personal attacks can hurt.

Slater apologised for making reference to Green’s death the following day.

As a commentator himself, Slater said it was a “privilege” to be able to cast judgment on the game and others, and Woods missed the mark badly.

“When you degrade someone personally in a derogatory manner, you probably don’t deserve one of those privileged positions that you’re all in, that we’re all in,” an emotional Slater said, his comments earning wild applause from the crowd.

“Although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be.

“Maybe our last coach (Green) didn’t.

“When you hold a position in the media or in our game, I feel that’s a privilege and with that privilege comes a responsibility.

“I sit in that position most weeks and you amplify your voice to millions of people.

“You’re not talking to your mates in the pub.”

Hoffman also took offence to Woods’ original comments.

He said on the ABC’s Offsiders program Woods had “crossed the line”.

Hoffman, who played 14 games for NSW and alongside Woods from 2013-15 ripped into the Triple M radio host.

“Aaron Woods crossed the line,” Hoffman said.

“If he wanted to come out and make a point about Billy Slater’s tactics, about Slater’s selections, that is fair enough.

“But to just purposely call someone a grub, purposely degrade someone like that, someone that he knows, someone he actually made sure that his son got to meet and have a photo with … to say that for the benefit of providing spice for Origin, that is rubbish.”

He went on to say: “Media around Origin time is absolutely horrific.

“Both states are guilty of it, both states just throw things in the back of the headline because they need to create this artificial spice.

“’Build up to Origin 1 was boring.’ It wasn’t boring.

“There is enough to talk about in these games without having to throw ridiculous comments. Media around Origin needs to be better.

“Bill made a great point. People who get to talk about Origin, people who get to put their voices into people’s lounge rooms or in the car on the radio, you have a responsibility and a privilege of being up there, so you really need to watch what you’re saying because it does have an effect.

“Bill wrongly made the point about linking it to Paul Green. But the point he was trying to make was perfect.”

Hoffman questioned Woods’ integrity and warned about the effect of his words, clearly taking his club teammate’s side.

“In the end, all you’re doing is allowing other people to say those comments in the name of banter – but where do you draw the line? Is it calling someone a grub, is it worse? Is it making sexist, racist comments about people, is that allowed?

“Throwing those ridiculous comments out gives people more avenue to be able to say what they want to whoever they want without any repercussions.

“Aaron Woods was a coward for standing behind a microphone and throwing that out there. Billy Slater showed courage going out there on a microphone and talking about responsibility.”

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