Walsh at fullback for Origin II
Teenage sensation Reece Walsh has been thrust into a State of Origin debut after just seven NRL games, named at fullback for Queensland in Sunday’s must-win game two at Suncorp Stadium.
The 18-year-old Warriors phenom, who has scored four tries since a mid-season release from Brisbane, is one of two debutants named by coach Paul Green as the Maroons attempt to keep the series alive after their game one flogging by NSW in Townsville.
North Queensland forward Frank Molo is the other debutant, named on a power-packed bench that includes Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita.
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is part of the extended squad for the first time as 19th man, with Coen Hess named 18th man. Walsh will be the secondleast experienced player to debut for the Maroons after Ben Ikin, who was selected in 1995 during the Super League war after just four first-grade appearances.
The rise of Walsh is all the more remarkable given he wasn’t even part of Brisbane’s top-30 contract list, the Broncos allowing him to leave early after the Warriors had initially secured him for the 2022 season.
Once there Warriors coach Nathan Brown wasted no time, pushing highly-rated fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the wing to accommodate Walsh.
‘‘He’s passed every test he’s had to go through so far ... good players in the past have come up at that level, particularly around Origin,’’ Green said. ‘‘He’s showed he’s got the confidence, he’s not afraid to back himself and good players, a trait is that if they make a mistake they can get themselves back in the game quickly and he’s been able to do that.’’
Walsh’ selection, after injuries ruled out AJ Brimson (knee) and Kalyn Ponga (groin), means Valentine Holmes will give up the No.1 jersey and move to the wing in place of the axed Xavier Coates.