New kid on block: I’m no RTS but I want to learn from him

Reece Walsh doesn’t want to be the next Roger Tuivasa-Sheck but admits the Warriors captain played a massive part in luring him to the NRL club.

The highly-rated teenager joined the squad last week after signing a three-year contract in March.

Walsh was one of the brightest prospects at the Broncos but said the opportunity of an apprenticeship under Tuivasa-Sheck was too hard to turn down, while his head was also turned after meeting the fullback and vice-captain Tohu Harris.

“I sat down with Roger and Tohu and I just fired some questions at them, as much as I could, and they answered [honestly],” said Walsh. “I wanted to get here as soon as possible so I can take in the knowledge and learn from him and see what he does on and off the field. It played a major part in me signing.”

A candid chat with Warriors coach Nathan Brown was also vital.

“He told me where he sees me playing a part in the team and where he sees the team going forward,” said Walsh. “I felt like I could fit right into that and be a really good asset to the team and that was pretty much the turning point there.”

The 18-year-old will have massive shoes to fill in 2022, as Tuivasa-Sheck is already rated a Warriors legend, but he is not concerned by the inevitable comparisons.

“I just need to play my style of footy,” said Walsh. “I think everyone’s going to expect, you know, he’s going to fill Roger’s shoes but I’m not Roger. I’m sort of a different player to Roger, so I will just go out there and do what I can do footywise [and it] will handle itself right.”

Walsh is also undaunted about (eventually) living on this side of the Tasman.

“I’ve never been to New Zealand,” said Walsh. “I don’t have a passport, so I’m in the process of getting one now. [But] I can’t wait to see a new part of the world and hopefully meet some family from my side.”

Walsh has Kiwi heritage through his birth mother Kahuti Campbell, who is from Hastings, although he’s had minimal contact over the years.

Walsh has settled in well, rooming with halves Sean O’Sullivan and Kodi Nikorima and impressing observers.

Brown will tread carefully — not wanting to expose the youngster too much, too soon — although Walsh is not short on confidence.

“It’s a matter of a time when Brownie feels like it’s right or the boys feel like it’s right for me to come in. I feel like I could go out there and do a job.”

For now though, Walsh, who has five siblings, will continue to develop his trade, under one of his NRL idols.

“I just want to learn as much as I can this year,” said Walsh. “It’s probably the best opportunity I have to come here and learn, because I am learning off one of the best fullbacks in the game. It was extremely hard leaving a club like the Broncos but I couldn’t let the opportunity here at the Warriors go.”