- Billy Slater snapped taking early-morning swim
- NRL icon is still in excellent physical condition
NRL legend Billy Slater has proven he’s still in excellent physical condition after being spotted going for an early morning swim on the Sunshine Coast.
The 42-year-old Maroons coach is currently at Queensland’s State of Origin camp as the side prepares for the game three decider in Sydney on July 9.
Slater, who retired in 2018, was photographed braving a 7am dip at Twin Waters Beach in windy and cold conditions on Tuesday morning – and showcased a physique that rivaled his playing days.
The former footy star was the only person swimming, but took a moment to chat to surfers who stopped to wish the Maroons well next week.
When asked where the rest of the squad was, Slater fired back: ‘Probably asleep’.
Despite retiring from rugby league seven years ago, the dad of two says he’s made it a priority to stay in top shape.
Billy Slater (pictured) looked like he could captain-coach the Queensland Origin side as he was spotted going for an early-morning swim on the Sunshine Coast
The former footy star, who played 319 NRL games, still takes his fitness very seriously seven years after retiring
The Maroons coach was photographed braving a 7am dip at Twin Waters Beach in windy and cold conditions on Tuesday morning
‘When I was playing my routine was structured so I had to adapt to a different way and find new ways to stay fit and healthy,’ he told Men’s Health magazine.
‘Fitness and exercise was something I had to add into my day rather than it being my main focus. Since retiring, I’ve had more time to be active and have fun with my family, and have made it a priority to keep living a healthy lifestyle.
‘Playing sport with my kids, riding horses and outdoor activities make up the majority of my exercise.’
Slater says he never tries to make his exercise feel like a chore, but rather make it part of his lifestyle.
‘Occasionally I work in a bit of structured training which I prefer to do first thing in the morning,’ he said.
‘There’s something about exercising in the morning that puts you in a good frame of mind for the rest of the day.’
The Melbourne Storm great says that he’s tried to continue a similar diet to what he had when he was playing.
‘Breakfast would consist of avocado and eggs on toast. Lunch is usually a salad and ham sandwich followed by a banana,’ Slater said.
When he was asked where the rest of the Maroons squad was, Slater fired back: ‘Probably asleep’
Slater was the only swimmer keen enough to brave the chilly conditions
Slater will be hoping to put memories of a torrid lead-up to game two behind him by coaching the Cane Toads to a series win
‘For dinner, I’ll usually have a steak or chicken, roast pumpkin and sweet potatoes with some greens. I’m always a sucker for dessert, either ice cream or Tim Tams.’
Slater and his fellow selectors dropped a bomb on NSW earlier in the week by naming Brisbane journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki at centre for his Origin debut and recalling Canberra prop Josh Papalii for one final Origin showdown in Sydney next week.
The switch of Dolphins talisman Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from wing to his club position of fullback comes as no surprise. His four tries in the latest masterclass showing against South Sydney revealed why the man known as ‘Hammer’ was the right choice, edging out Brisbane’s Reece Walsh who has been recalled as 18th man.
Earlier in the series, Slater had a war of words with NSW player turned radio star Aaron Woods, who branded Slater a ‘grub’.
Slater hit back at Woods by making controversial comments about rugby league coach Paul Green’s death ahead of State of Origin II.
The following day he held a short press conference in which he said he was ‘deeply and genuinely sorry’ for using Green’s suicide in 2022 to reply to Woods – and revealed he called the former Cowboys coach’s widow to apologise.
