Slater has conceded that his Queensland Origin setup will look a bit different in 2026.
Queensland coach Billy Slater admits he might need a new assistant coach for their State of Origin defence in 2026, with Josh Hannay strongly tipped to land an NRL head coaching role. With veteran prop Josh Papalii playing his 24th and final Origin game after coming out of rep retirement in the series-deciding Game 3 victory, Slater concedes it will be a new-look Queensland setup next year.
Slater says he would be ‘surprised’ if Hannay was not in charge of an NRL club in 2026, with a number of current coaches in the firing line after poor seasons. Hannay has been strongly linked to the role at the Titans, amid reports veteran coach Des Hasler is on borrowed time on the Gold Coast.
Hasler has a clause in his contract meaning the Titans can sack him now they are mathematically out of finals contention this season, following last weekend’s loss to Brisbane. The veteran coach wants to see out the final year of his contract in 2026 but there’s a growing sense that Hasler won’t be there next year and Hannay has emerged as a frontrunner for the job.
Newcastle could also be on the lookout for a new coach, amid reports the club is set to part ways with Adam O’Brien at the end of the season after an underwhelming campaign for the Knights. And Todd Payten’s coaching position is also under threat at the Cowboys, who have dropped out of the top-eight after five losses in their last six games to sit in 12th spot on the ladder.
North Queensland made the second week of the finals in 2024 but have struggled for consistency under Payten since he took over in 2021. Hannay – who is currently working under Craig Fitzgibbon at Cronulla – previous worked as an assistant at the Cowboys and played 150 games for the club, and would be a popular choice to succeed Payten if North Queensland decided to change coaches.
Billy Slater tips Josh Hannay to land NRL head coaching role
But with uncertainty around the future of at least three NRL head coaches, and Hannay emerging as one of the leading candidates to succeed them, Slater is convinced he will need to find a new assistant for Queensland in 2026. “I’d be surprised if he is involved in State of Origin next year, unfortunately for us,” the Maroons coach told Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
He’s been a real rock for me in terms of the last four years at State of Origin level, I have leant on him immensely. He really understands the game, he sees the game really well, he’s got great philosophies. I’d be really surprised if he was involved in the Origin series next year, I was probably surprised that he was involved this year.
“I think he’s ready to be an NRL head coach, and I wish him all the best when that opportunity arises for him. I’ve got great respect for Josh, I’ve got great appreciation for what he’s done for myself and this footy team over the last four years… even before that, he was involved before I was the head coach. He’s definitely going to be a good NRL coach and I look forward to seeing which team he gets that opportunity with.”
