Reece Walsh says he’ll be the “point of difference” Queensland needs to keep the State of Origin series alive, while dismissing suggestions the Broncos’ fall from grace would derail his influence.
Walsh’s return to the Maroons comes as fullback Kalyn Ponga accepted accountability for the shoulder charge that resulted in his game one send-off – an incident that opened the door for NSW to storm to victory.
It has been two years since Walsh last played for Queensland, having been curtailed by injuries last year then usurped by Ponga for the No.1 jersey to launch the 2026 campaign. There is no guarantee he will feature come the June 17 showdown in Melbourne, having been named on the six-man bench.
Walsh’s form has been a point of conjecture since his comeback from a fractured cheekbone five weeks ago, with both errors and signs of brilliance on show.
Brisbane’s defeat to the Gold Coast on Saturday marked their fifth-consecutive loss, but Walsh said his confidence had not been shaken.
“Obviously, we’re going through a bit of a tough patch at the Broncs, but one thing I can’t stress enough is we’re all working hard there,” Walsh said.
“It’s not like we’re taking the piss and not turning up or putting in the work.”
When asked about commentary surrounding his exploits on the field, Walsh quipped, “the only opinion that matters is you guys [the media] I guess”, before elaborating that he felt confident he could fulfil any role with which he was entrusted.
“I played in the halves until I was about 17. Obviously, it’s a bit different in the NRL, but I think the way I watch footy and the detail I go into about footy, I wouldn’t be shy in that position,” Walsh said.
“The way the game is going these days, the ball in play and penalty count, it’s crazy. To have some big bodies tired through the middle, I think, for myself, if I got the opportunity to go out there, I would just want to go out there doing what’s best for the team – whether that’s in the front row, on the wing or in the halves.
“I’ve been in big games, I’ve experienced big games, and I know what it takes to play in big games.”
The prospect of Walsh and Ponga will be tricky for NSW strategists.
Ponga famously made his debut in a similar super-sub role that Walsh could be used in, starring in the back row, but believed there was little advice he could pass on to the reigning Clive Churchill Medallist.
“There’s a mutual respect there; I think there’s an understanding that we had to earn this jersey – he’s got it over me, and then I’ve been lucky enough to wear this jersey, and will be next Wednesday,” Ponga said.
“He’s someone who’s pretty fearless – he goes after the game. In terms of his mindset, we’re here for a reason; you get picked in this team based on what you’ve earned and what you’ve done, and I think the way the game is having someone quick through that middle seems to be the way the game is unfolding.”
Ponga said he would be picking coach Billy Slater’s brain on how best to avoid similar instances to the one that resulted in his controversial send-off, having also attracted the attention of the NRL judiciary against Melbourne on Friday night.
Ponga would not be drawn when asked for his thoughts on the interpretations of shoulder charges, but conceded there were some technical issues with his defence that needed sorting.
“I definitely need to acknowledge I could be better in moments. Obviously, what happened in game one, whether right or wrong, I still put my team in a certain position, and I think moving forward in my career … I don’t want that to happen,” Ponga said.
“There’s definitely some accountability on my end. It is tough – it’s a position that happens in a split second, I’m running as fast as I can, and someone else is running as fast as they can to a corner – but I do acknowledge I need to be better, for sure.
“For me, I think it’s just getting to the position earlier so I can steady my feet and be in a better position.”
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