EXCLUSIVE: Billy Slater lauds Corey Horsburgh’s resurgence as Origin discussions heat up

Billy Slater, coach of the Queensland Maroons, has commended the revitalisation of Corey Horsburgh as the Raiders prop sets his sights on a return to the Origin fold.

After a turbulent year that saw him clash with coach Ricky Stuart before reconciling, Horsburgh has been a standout performer for the Raiders during their unbeaten start to the season.

Returning in 2023 for his only Maroons appearance, his performance dwindled last year, leading to him being largely overlooked.

After the Raiders triumphed over the Broncos, Horsburgh openly admitted to Fox League that he “cut back on the drink and upped my diet” in the off-season.

On the field, Horsburgh made a significant impact during the match against the Broncos, racking up 132 run metres and contributing with a try assist.

The 27-year-old later stated in the Canberra Times that representing his state is “clearly my aspiration”.

Now, Slater has voiced his support, giving Horsburgh a boost of confidence.

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“We knew a couple of years back that he had the potential,” Slater expressed on Nine’s The Billy Slater podcast.

“His commitment to fitness clearly shows what he is capable of achieving.”

In their clash with the Broncos, Horsburgh logged 52 minutes and formed a formidable partnership with front-row teammate Josh Papalii.

Slater praised both players for their contributions right from the kick-off.

“They were exceptional, complementing each other’s play effectively,” he noted.

“From the initial six sets, you could see both of them getting involved, which set a high standard not only for their team but for themselves as well. They went on to become two of the standout performers.

“Big Papa even managed to score a try before his first-half break, while Corey Horsburgh demonstrated his capacity for endurance, all thanks to the dedication he applied in his pre-season training.”

Wrapping up his insights, Slater conveyed a vital piece of advice: “My coach, Craig Bellamy, always mentioned that it’s difficult to have a successful season without a solid off-season. While a good pre-season doesn’t guarantee success, it certainly lays the groundwork for it. You can see that Big Red has given himself an excellent chance for a great season through his dedication prior to March.”