Both Walsh and Cobbo in Billy’s sights
Queensland coach Billy Slater says Reece Walsh is putting pressure on Kalyn Ponga and believes Selwyn Cobbo has found another gear as Brisbane’s dynamic duo turn up the heat in the battle for Origin jumpers.
Slater will attend the Broncos-Storm blockbuster on Thursday night in Melbourne and the Maroons mentor will run the rule over nine Origin contenders – including Brisbane sensations Walsh and Cobbo.
Flying fullback Walsh is vying with Ponga for the Queensland No.1 jumper, while Broncos young gun Cobbo will mark up against Storm rival Xavier Coates in a cracking tussle for Maroons wing berths.
Other Queenslanders who will feature in the round 11 clash at AAMI Park include Melbourne’s Christian Welch, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster and Brisbane’s forward trio Pat Carrigan, Kurt Capewell and Tom Flegler.
Slater will get a closeup view in his sideline eye duties for Channel 9 and the Queensland coach says Walsh has rocketed into the Origin frame as fullback incumbent Ponga fights his way back from concussion issues.
Asked if Walsh is a serious contender for the Queensland No.1 spot, Slater said: “Yes, he is doing well. “Reece was involved in our camp last year and a couple of years ago, I was part of the selection committee that decided to pick Reece (for his Origin debut in Game Two in 2021). “Unfortunat ely, Reece strained his hamstring at the captain’s run and he missed his debut. “But he is building his game nicely now. He is starting to get a good balance to his footy.” Slater, though, hasn’t forgotten the big-game brilliance of Ponga, who produced the finest performance of his career in last year’s Origin decider to stun the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
“Kalyn was one of our best players last year, if not our best,” Slater said.
“I know Kalyn hasn’t played a lot of footy, but he has to just get back into the game, enjoy himself, and find his best game.
“I watch all Queensland players with a lot of intent. The Storm and Broncos always have a big Queensland flavour to their games and I will be at the game (on Thursday night) watching guys like Xavier and Selwyn.”
Coates played the opening game in Sydney last year, only to hurt his ankle, while Cobbo’s dream debut series ended when he suffered a shocking concussion in the opening minutes of Origin III.