Johnathan Thurston says he was surprised by Billy Slater’s Origin coaching exit

Johnathan Thurston says he was “caught by surprise” when he learned Billy Slater was quitting his role as an Origin coach.

All three outlets report that Thurston discusses the timing and circumstances of finding out about Slater’s decision, outlining when the news reached him. The coverage is centered on Thurston’s account rather than on additional statements from Slater or broader organisational explanations.

Because the available reports focus on the same incident and source material, they align closely in describing Thurston’s reaction and the fact of Slater’s departure as Origin coach. No outlet provides a materially different timeline or competing interpretation of why Slater exits; instead, they present Thurston’s remarks as the main new detail in the story.