Slater was sensationally overlooked for Game One with selectors opting for incumbent Darius Boyd despite the Storm fullback getting back to his best form after almost two years on the sidelines with successive shoulder injuries.  

The 34-year-old’s inclusion comes at a crucial time as the Maroons seek to level the series at ANZ Stadium after a 28-4 Game One annihilation in Brisbane.

Slater will run out for his 28th Origin tonight in what is certain to be a fiery encounter as NSW attempt to claim just their second series in 12 years and their first since 2014.

Slater’s last Origin game was Game Two in 2015 in which he suffered his first serious shoulder injury rubbing him out for the remainder of the season.

And after watching every Origin game since from the couch, the dynamic back is consumed with a sense of gratitude to be back playing in rugby league’s toughest arena.

"When something's taken away from you you focus on what you really enjoy about it," Slater said.

"The only consideration (of retirement) was outside my control. If it was outside my control and my shoulder wasn't fit enough to come back – and there were certainly stages where I questioned that – that was certainly a possibility.

"Within my control I always wanted to get back and play. That was a driving force for me and I wasn't ready to finish up just yet. That was the main reason why I worked so hard to get back to where I am.

"Obviously I wanted to get my shoulder back as strong as possible for life in general but once I knew I could play rugby league again I just wanted to get back and enjoy the game.

"I've been able to do that and now I'm fortunate enough to wear a Maroon jersey again which I've always really enjoyed doing."

Missing virtually the entire 2016 season after again injuring his shoulder in the opening round of the season, Slater spent last year’s Origin campaign in camp Maroon in an advisory role.

And while it was nice to be there with his former team mates, Slater said it hurt like hell.   

"It just reiterated to myself that I wasn't ready to give up playing State of Origin,” he said.

"As good as it was to be involved in last year's series I felt that I was rubbing my own nose in the situation.

"It was right there in front of me but I couldn't be a part of it the way I wanted to be a part of it.

"That certainly planted the seed in wanting to get back here."

 Queensland captain and Slater’s premiership-winning Storm teammate Captain Smith said the fullback would be injected as much as possible tonight.

"We've practised a few different things with Billy out the back; I just hope we get the opportunity to use him up," said Smith.

"The thing about Bill is that he's got genuine speed out the back of our plays and that's the thing that does worry defenders, speed.

"I've played my entire career with Billy at fullback and he's one of the greatest players to have played our game. Not only in his position, he's one of the greatest players of all time. To have him there is great and I'm really looking forward to seeing him playing for Queensland again.

"I'm sure he's primed himself for a really big one this Wednesday."