Former New South Wales Blues front-rower Aaron Woods has ripped Queensland coach Billy Slater to shreds for dropping captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans for Game II in Perth.
After NSW dominated Game I in Brisbane, under-pressure coach Slater has made huge changes for the must-win game in Western Australia which included not selecting the 36-year-old playmaker.
“Honestly, I cannot believe it,” Woods began on Triple M Sydney.
“This hasn’t been done since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.
“To me that’s piss poor form from Billy Slater.
“After Game I, in your press conference, you [Slater] said it ‘wasn’t about personnel’, you said you ‘didn’t play too well’.
“You’ve come out and axed your captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
“You’ve said it wasn’t a scapegoat, but mate it’s a scapegoat.
You’re not used to getting hammered in the media.
“I think he did respond to backlash, the pressure and criticism got to Billy.
“He’s lost three [games] in a row, which is unheard of for Queensland.
“Cherry-Evans should be there… I’ve heard his commentary around it that he got his chance in Game I.
“There should be a lot of other players that should be moved on too… because you look at guys like Harry Grant — he’s 0-6 starting at hooker.”
Woods played with Cherry-Evans at Manly between 2023 and 2024.
