Aaron Woods refuses to apologise to Billy Slater over ‘grub’ comment ahead of Origin game two

The war of words between Aaron Woods and Billy Slater shows no signs of abating ahead of Queensland’s must-win Origin match tonight, with the former NSW prop refusing to back down after calling the Maroons coach a “grub.”

Slater strongly criticised Woods over the remark at a press event in Perth on Tuesday, ahead of game two in Perth, and referenced the late Maroons and Cowboys coach Paul Green as he argued that using derogatory terms like “grub” could have serious mental health consequences.

Green, the 2021 Queensland coach who lost that series and ex-Cowboys coach, took his own life in 2022.

“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,” said Slater, who also works as a Channel 9 commentator.

“You might not know what people are going through. And although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be. Maybe our last coach (Paul Green) didn’t.

“I believe the character of a person is judged more on what they say about people and how they treat everyone than what an individual says to create attention.”

On Wednesday, Woods used his Triple M breakfast show to hit back at Slater, a week after he used the same platform to start the feud.

The 34-year-old confirmed he would not apologise for using the term “grub”.

“Those comments I made last Tuesday, I stand by them,” he said.

“You say something about a person, that person is owed a right to reply… He’s had seven days to reply… he has taken his time, he’s been very well thought-out, he’s been very measured in what he’s had to say.

“A lot of the comments, I agree with.

“But one particular comment that he did make, I just thought Billy went a little bit over the boundary, and I just think it was really — I just think it was completely unnecessary for the situation.”

Woods had argued that Slater had an image as a good bloke but a chequered history as a player, citing Slater’s seven-match suspension for kicking Wests Tigers prop John Skandalis in the head in 2006.

Slater’s reference to Green and mental health has raised eyebrows, given Slater himself was on the wrong end of a sledge in 2010 when he was forced to apologise to Cory Paterson for targeting him on the field over his mental health struggles.

“I heard early this afternoon that Cory had an issue with something that was said on the field last night,” Slater said at the time.

“I rang Cory immediately to discuss it and clear the air.”

Woods said Slater’s response may have been carefully calculated to take the heat himself and his side as they stare down their second series defeat in a row.

“You look at the pressure he’s under … honestly, it’s Origin, we’re always under pressure,” Woods said.

“I don’t really care about Queensland. I’ve got a huge bet on the line with NSW. That’s what I’m focused on.”

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