NRL: Slater Out For The Rest Of Season

Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater will undergo a left should surgery next week and is out for the rest of the 2015 National Rugby League.

Slater, a 25-test star for Australia and one of the top players in the NRL, has only played four matches since, including two State of Origin matches.Despite being heavily targeted in Queensland’s 26-18 loss in Origins II Wednesday night, Slater did not appear to be hampered.

“The battle to get up for the next week is becoming harder, and the shoulder takes longer to settle down, not allowing me to play to my full potential ... the best decision is to undergo surgery now,” Slater told Winnipeg Free Press.

He also added that undergoing surgery was a difficult, yet the best decision for him.

Queensland will be without the veteran fullback in Origins III against New South Wales on July 8, and Slater, who sustained the injury while playing for the Storm against the Warriors in round 5, is extremely disappointed not to be of service for the Maroons.

Melbourne football director Frank Ponissi said that after Slater’s injury in round five, they knew he would require surgery at some point.

"At the time, we made the decision with Billy to take the conservative approach and rehab and strengthen the joint to get to the end of the season, but knowing potentially at some stage we wouldn't be able to continue with this approach. While we would love to see Billy out on the field for the rest of the season, it was becoming harder for him to recover each week between limiting his preparation for games,” said Ponissi.

Full back Greg Inglis will replace Slater in the line-up for the match at Lang Park, Brisbane. Reports described the injury as a labral tear on his glenohumeral joint to his left shoulder. The 32-year old full back also underwent surgery on his right shoulder at the end of the 2014 season.