Walsh Under Fire: A Costly Moment Threatens Origin Recall Hopes
A concerning lapse in concentration from Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh during their recent clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons has ignited debate and potentially jeopardised his chances of a recall for the upcoming State of Origin Game 2. The incident, which saw the Dragons score a crucial try while Walsh remained grounded, has drawn criticism from veteran NRL reporter Dean Ritchie, who questioned the fullback’s commitment and “effort areas.”
This moment comes at a critical juncture for Walsh, who was looking to impress Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater and force his way back into the squad. Slater himself faced scrutiny after Game 1 when the Maroons were left without a specialist fullback on the bench following Kalyn Ponga’s controversial sin-binning. In that scenario, utility Kurt Capewell was shifted to the centres, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moved to fullback. This tactical reshuffle proved costly, with the NSW Blues exploiting Capewell’s lack of pace in the centres and James Tedesco out-jumping Tabuai-Fidow for the match-winning try. The absence of a player of Walsh’s calibre on the bench was a talking point post-match.
Walsh, aware of the opportunity to press his case for Game 2, had a subdued performance for much of the match against the Dragons, struggling to inject spark into the Broncos’ attack for over 60 minutes. The pivotal incident occurred in the second half. Following an aerial contest, Walsh hit the ground hard. He appeared to believe the ball had been knocked on by Dragons winger Setu Tu, and consequently, failed to immediately get back to his feet. However, the ball had travelled backwards, keeping the play alive.
The Dragons capitalised on Walsh’s immobility. With the Broncos’ fullback still on the ground, they executed three quick passes, shifting the ball to the blindside and finding Tu in space to score in the corner. While Walsh may have been disoriented from the initial contact, his inability to recover swiftly directly contributed to the try.
Dean Ritchie did not hold back in his assessment of Walsh’s actions. “That was poor from Reece Walsh… just lying there on the ground is a poor look,” he stated on NRL 360. “It only vindicates my assessment of Reece this year, he has been off from the start. If that was your teammate, would you be dirty?” Ritchie’s comments suggest a broader concern about Walsh’s current form and commitment.
Queensland’s Bench Woes: An Opening for Walsh?
Despite the criticism, Walsh’s push for a Queensland recall is bolstered by mounting injury concerns within the Maroons’ squad. Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki were both ruled out on Monday following injuries sustained in their recent loss to the Dragons, further depleting the team’s depth. Shibasaki, who was an unused interchange player in Game 1, will now be unavailable for the trip to Melbourne.
Ezra Mam, another player who was on the bench for Slater in Game 1 but did not feature, also had a below-par performance against the Dragons, casting doubt over his own selection prospects for Game 2.
This injury crisis on the Maroons’ bench could present an opening for Walsh. Slater might consider taking a punt on the dynamic fullback, particularly given his X-factor ability. Walsh demonstrated flashes of his brilliance in the closing stages against the Dragons, providing two try assists with his blistering speed. His versatility is also a significant asset; he can cover the fullback position, play in the halves, and could even be deployed at five-eighth, potentially shifting Kalyn Ponga into that role.
The upcoming selection meeting will undoubtedly weigh the potential risks and rewards of including Walsh, with his recent costly lapse against the Dragons a significant talking point. His ability to rebound from this criticism and demonstrate consistent effort will be paramount in convincing Billy Slater that he deserves a spot in the Queensland side for Game 2. The Maroons’ depth issues, while unfortunate, may inadvertently create the pathway back for the talented but currently under-fire fullback.
