Slater, Queensland’s greatest ever fullback, was sensationally overlooked in place of Darius Boyd.

Slater has enjoyed a sensational NRL return after spending almost two years on the sidelines with shoulder complaints.

Boyd is the incumbent Maroons and Australian fullback and was named Qld’s man of the series in 2016.

Belcher, who played 16 Origins and 15 Tests for Australia at fullback, said the Maroons could live to regret leaving Slater out.

“I think it’s a really poor decision,” Belcher told NewsCorp. “Billy has what Darius has got and a bit more.

“I’m not putting Darius down. He is great, but Billy is the best we’ve seen. I’m shocked. I would have definitely put Billy in there.”

Belcher said NSW would be ecstatic with the Melbourne star's omission.

“NSW are going to be applauding this, it will help them,” he said. “They don’t want Billy sniffing around running off Cooper (Cronk) and Cam’s (Smith) kicks.

“He is playing very good footy again. I think he’s back to the Billy of old. Billy can score and make something happen from anywhere on the field.

“Darius is fantastic from 40 metres out (from the tryline), but Billy is a threat any time he’s got the footy.”