The 30-Test veteran’s representative comeback has been remarkable after missing the majority of the 2015 and 2016 seasons with successive shoulder injuries putting him on the precipice of forced retirement.

He was omitted from Queensland’s opening game of the 2017 Origin Series before earning a recall for games two and three and helping the Maroons secure their 11th series victory in 12 years.

His play for the Storm saw him recapture his best form which he capped with the 2017 NRL Premiership.

His undeniable form saw him reclaim his Kangaroos jersey capped off with a World Cup victory in what he says will likely be his last match for his country.

“I think this will be my last time in green and gold,” an emotional Slater said minutes following full-time.

“I will probably finish up at the end of the (2018) season and let someone else take over."

Slater said returning from the brink of rugby league extinction made Saturday night’s win all the sweeter.

“My goals with my comeback were short term and just about getting my shoulder ready for life after football,” he said.

“And then I managed to get back and play for the Storm. I didn’t think I would be playing for Australia so it was all about looking at the big picture.”

And with representative retirement also likely for Cooper Cronk, Australian captain Cameron Smith said a World Cup victory on home soil would be a fitting way to play his last game in the green and gold with his Storm and Queensland team mates.

“If it is our last game together (with Cronk and Slater) it will be a special memory,” Smith said.

“We have worked really hard to get back to be number one and be the best team in the world.”