"I went on the recommendation of the physio and doctor and what was best for not only myself but the team as well.

"I've made the mistake of playing whilst injured in the past and I certainly regret that. I wanted to make the right decision this time.

"It's really tricky because I don't feel overly injured. There's tightness, it's slightly sore, but not a big strain. It's in a position if I do go out and play and do it properly I could be out for a long period of time.

"It's a tough one for me because I've played with pain before, but that's not the issue, it's more the repercussions of playing with this strain. If I pulled up bit tight from a 40-minute training session, with an 80-minute Origin, who knows what could happen.

"The last thing I want is to go out there, play 20 minutes then come off and sit on sideline and leave us with 16 men."

Slater went into the opening two games in 2015 with a serious shoulder injury and announced almost straight after game two that year he would require season-ending surgery.

He would not be drawn on the debate over who should replace him, with Michael Morgan expected to get the nod ahead of teen sensation Kalyn Ponga.

He announced last week this series would be his last, which caps the end of a wonderful era that featured recently retired rep stars Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.

Slater did not inform his teammates about his hamstring until they were departing camp at Sanctuary Cove.