Warriors leave door open for youngster
Nathan Brown didn’t bring young gun Reece Walsh to the Warriors this season not to play him, but a potential NRL debut against the Storm this weekend might be pushing it.
Despite switching from the Broncos only a fortnight ago, Walsh has been included in the extended squad for the Anzac Day game in Melbourne as the Warriors grapple with a heavy injury toll.
Brown hasn’t ruled out calling the highly rated 18-year-old into the playing 17, but as long as the fitness of those chosen ahead of him holds up, he will probably watch from the stands.
‘‘If the whole squad comes through he’d probably be unlikely, but it depends on the fitness,’’ the coach said.
‘‘It’s a good experience to be named and travel with the team. We certainly don’t want to rush him if we don’t have to, but we’ll just see what unfolds with the squad later in the week. At this stage, you’d have to think it was unlikely.’’
An Anzac Day game against the reigning premiers, who have won their last nine games against the Warriors, would be a big occasion for any player to walk into, let alone a teenage rookie.
Brown was confident Walsh would be ready for the step up if selected. While the former Australian Schoolboys representative was signed as the long-term replacement for rugby-bound fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, he’s also at home in the halves.
Walsh wore the No 6 jersey for feeder club Redcliffe last week and his utility value is another asset Brown will factor in as he weighs up when to blood the youngster.
‘‘He’s a very, very talented player. The boys have got to see things that’s he naturally gifted at. They’ve also got to see things that are going to be good work-ons for him,’’ Brown said.
‘‘We didn’t want to get Reece here this year not to play – we brought him here because we wanted him to train with us, prepare with us and he can play other positions as well. He can play in the halves and gives us a bit of depth there.’’
Injuries to outside backs Euan Aitken (ankle), Peta Hiku (shoulder), Adam Pompey (ankle) and Paul Turner (shoulder) has forced Brown to shift regular backrower Jack Murchie to the centres this week.