Former NRL player Aaron Woods has continued his war of words with Queensland Maroons coach, Billy Slater.

The former NSW Blue was commenting on Slater’s two shock selections for the series decider in Sydney when he couldn’t resist having a cheeky dig.

Veteran prop Josh Papali’i and debutant Gehamat Shibasaki were the topic of conversation, with Woods critical of Queensland’s “pick and stick mentality”.

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Woods took a line from Slater about being a “privilege” to work in the media when delivering his comments.

“That takes me to my good mate Billy Slater on the Queensland side,” he said.

“I’ve got to remember it is a privilege, and we’ve got a responsibility being behind this microphone.

“So, when I talk, a lot of people do listen… but, yeah, there’s a bit happening with the Queensland side.

“He got rid of Mo Fotuaikai, who I thought did a great job in Perth, and they didn’t pick and stick there.

“So it’s a funny one for a decider. It must mean he feels a bit of pressure up front… lacking a bit of intimidation.

“I’m a big fan of Papa (Papali’i), but it just shows you when you win, it’s not always comfortable.”

These cautious yet analytical comments follow Slater’s personal dig at Woods on the eve of Origin II.

Slater highlighted the relentless media pressure put on him by people like Woods, making mention of late Maroons coach Paul Green as someone who may not have taken it so well. Something he later apologised for.

Not stopping at just a back and forth between the two, former Melbourne Storm teammate of Slater and representative teammate of Woods, Ryan Hoffman chimed in just over a week ago taking offence to the latter’s comments.

“Woods crossed the line,” Hoffman said.

“If he wanted to come out and make a point about Billy Slater’s tactics, about Slater’s selections, that is fair enough.

“But to just purposely call someone a grub, purposely degrade someone like that… to say that for the benefit of providing spice for Origin, that is rubbish.

“Aaron Woods was a coward for standing behind a microphone and throwing that out there. Billy Slater showed courage going out there on a microphone and talking about responsibility.”