NSW made an enormous promise to focus on debutant Reece Walsh forward of the 2023 Origin collection opener — vowing to push the younger gun to his limits.
Instead it was the 20-year-old handing out the punishment to the Blues who had no solutions.
The 20-year-old fullback was a shock choice by Queensland coach Billy Slater, beating out incumbent Kalyn Ponga whose points with concussions have been deemed an excessive amount of of a danger.
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Walsh has solely 51 NRL video games to his title however delivered when it mattered most within the collection opener with a faultless 80-minute efficiency.
Then after buying and selling verbal barbs and slamming the NSW aspect for “thinking they own rugby league” he arrange the most important check of his profession throughout Game II.
Cometh the hour, cometh the person.
Walsh was virtually the very best on floor as Queensland demolished NSW 32-6 to safe a collection victory on dwelling soil.
He recorded two attempt assists, a line break, 109 operating metres and 7 sort out breaks — incomes him lofty reward from Slater, one among — if not the — best fullbacks to grace the Origin area.
“Hasn’t he had some sort of series? And he’s earned that through his professionalism at the Broncos and his actions week-to-week at the Broncos,” Slater stated within the post-match press convention.
“And when he’s come into camp, talk about that ‘want’. Reece wants to get as good as he can. And if he continues that want, there’s no ceiling to where Reece Walsh can get to.”
For shut pal and Broncos teammate Pat Carrigan, Walsh’s toughness flies below the radar when his velocity and dynamic attacking capability is so plain to see.
The younger gun was pleased to reply each time Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses focused him and stood tall when challenged by Jarome Luai within the closing phases of Game II.
“He’s a little hood rat from Nerang so he’s copped a few hidings from his older brothers and he’s good mate,” Carrigan stated to foxsports.com.au.
“He doesn’t mind mixing it with the big boys and he deserves everything he is getting at the moment and he’s a tough kid and if he keeps bringing that tough footy everyone knows the brilliance he can bring.
‘I have just as much pride’ | 02:25
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Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans also hailed Walsh’s toughness.
“Reece Walsh gave as good as he got, because he has got a hell of a lot coming at him his first two games of Origin,” Cherry-Evans stated.
“They have targeted him and he should be really proud of the level of toughness and resilience he has played with so far.
“It’s Origin, everyone is playing with their heart on their sleeve, that’s what makes it so emotional.”
Walsh additionally was on the centre of a second that can lengthy be remembered by Maroon followers.
Following his fracas with Luai and a punch from Josh Addo-Carr, the Blues winger slapped the NSW badge whereas leaving the sphere and was met with a wave of boos.
Walsh did the identical — and the noise was deafening, with teammates surrounding the younger fullback to have fun the collection victory.
It highlighted simply how necessary Walsh has been for Queensland this collection and certain transferring ahead for the Maroons below Billy Slater.
But for Walsh, he was “dirty” with how the sport ended.
“You know we reflect on it so much through the week, and as a young Queenslander you see the great Queenslanders, Billy and all of the greats to wear the jersey,” Walsh stated.
“And the way they put their body on the line mate, it wasn’t a pretty ending to the game and I am a bit dirty on that.
“But this jersey means so much to me and I love this state, I love these boys, I love the coaching staff.
“My family, they are the reason we go out there and put in big efforts, we do it for our friends and our family. Our teammates and the coaching staff.”
Walsh additionally complimented Luai post-match for his “confident” perspective when on the sphere.
“Puts bums on seats and makes you want to go out there and play good footy,” Walsh stated of the Panthers star.
“I love the way he plays and the passion he plays with. That’s what makes us really good players and the players we are.
“Like I said, you hate versing those people who are confident and wear their heart on their sleeve and are willing to do anything for their teammates.”
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Slater’s resolution to call Walsh as his No.1 for the collection was daring and the legendary fullback has persistently praised his younger expertise.
Slater has performed 31 video games for Queensland, taking part in a serious function within the Maroons’ decade of dominance alongside Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith.
If there’s anybody you need to be mentoring you as a fullback it’s Slater and Brisbane coach Kevin Walters can be licking his lips on the prospect of Walsh bettering additional.
Since rejoining the Broncos forward of the 2023 season, he sits second for attempt assists with 18 and third for line break assists.
Walsh additionally has tallied 70 sort out breaks sit equal fourth within the NRL alongside Sione Katoa.
Carrigan performed down comparisons between Walsh and Slater as gamers, however despatched an ominous warning to the remainder of the NRL.
“Wouldn’t mind him bringing it (that form) back to the Broncos,” Carrigan stated.
“I hate comparing people. I think he’s just Reece Walsh and Billy was Billy.
“He’s just Reece, as long as he keeps doing him and he’s where he is today because he works so hard, it’s not fluke.
“When he gets to rub shoulders with Billy as this week, you see him and AJ (Brimson) just picking his brain and KP (Kalyn Ponga) is obviously not here, but there’s three players who are just freaks.
“The No.1 jersey is in good stead as long as they keep learning off him.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au