Billy Slater out of NRL All Stars match, replaced by Justin O'Neill SITTING out All Stars game: Billy Slater in action Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun THE NRL All Stars match has been robbed of one of its top attractions after Melbourne fullback Billy Slater pulled out of the February 9 clash at Suncorp Stadium. Slater has had a disrupted pre-season after aggravating an ankle injury and having a plate removed from his shoulder following the injury he sustained on the 2011 Four Nations tour. The Queensland and Australian custodian withdrew from the All Stars clash yesterday but is expected to be fit for Melbourne's World Club Challenge match against Leeds Rhinos on February 22, despite being restricted to a modified training program. NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett called up Melbourne winger Justin O'Neill to take Slater's place. "It's disappointing Billy won't be able to play, but I'm excited and honoured to be part of the NRL All Stars team and I'm looking forward to playing with and against some of the best players in the competition," O'Neill said. Justin O'Neill has been called up to replace Billy Slater. Picture: Michael Klein Source: The Daily Telegraph I have family living in Brisbane so it will be very special to play my first representative game in front of them. Meanwhile, South Sydney coach Michael Maguire predicts Greg Inglis will lift to a new level this year. Maguire's decision to switch Inglis to fullback in Round 3 against Penrith was the catalyst for the Rabbitohs' impressive finals run which ended just 80min short of a dream grand final appearance. Inglis arrived at yesterday's Charity Shield launch to promote the annual pre-season game against St George Illawarra, looking in peak physical condition. It is just one part of Inglis' off-season plan to continue his development as one of the game's premier No.1s. Maguire has been blown away by the 26-year-old's application to off-season training, saying it highlighted his leadership role at the club. "He's really focused about what he wants to achieve in the game," Maguire said. He took really big strides forward last season and I think he just wants to continue that. It's a credit to himself how he looks after himself and the way he's training (and) the way he's maturing now and becoming more of a leader amongst the group. Inglis said he was putting in work to improve himself positionally on the field. "That's one aspect I've been working on and that's definitely one of the things that I've been working with the coaches on," Inglis said. It's just one of those generations now where you've just got to keep pushing through and make sure your in tip-top physical shape for the start of the season.