Slater has been sensational for the Storm since his return this year after almost two years out of the NRL.

Walters fought back tears as he described the decision to leave out arguably the state’s best ever fullback.

"It was very close, mate," Walters said. "It was a very tough decision that we had to make around Billy.

"He's been a great player for Queensland, but we just felt that (for) game one, Darius was Queensland's best player in last year's series and on the Four Nations at the end of last year he was in the top two or three players for Australia and again this year in the Test he was outstanding.

"And the second part of that is, I think it would have been a little bit unfair on Billy to put him under so much pressure in game one of a series (with) everyone expecting him to come out and change the world.

"We've relieved him of those duties and I know Darius will get the job done for us. He's a great player and deserves first crack at the number one jumper."