If there was ever an outing that highlighted the rocks or diamonds approach that Reece Walsh brings to the field, his final audition for a State of Origin comeback was exactly that.
There were moments of brilliance, horror and anger from the Broncos fullback, as his side’s first-half implosion created a Magic Round calamity in a 42-12 defeat to the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
There were ominous signs early, with Walsh’s first two touches – each strong carries straight at the Warriors’ defence – before his side’s own ill-discipline deprived him of moments to strike in the opening half.
When he did get a chance, his risk versus reward approach was on show – a rushed pass coming out of trouble gifting a try to the Warriors’ Ali Leiataua, before his dangerous cutout ball for a leaping Phillip Coates orchestrated the opportunity for Adam Reynolds to cross for his second of the afternoon.
Walsh then appeared certain to score off a Ben Hunt grubber, only to lose his footing, enabling the Warriors to scramble to save the play. He then almost conquered a miracle try – unleashing Coates down the wing again, before his cross-field kick was fumbled by Josiah Karapani trying to get the ball to ground.
Much to his anger, he was then forced off for an HIA, and was seen blowing up with the trainer as he made his way from the field, only to be cleared of any issues. In the dying stages after his return, he was penalised for dissent after an agitated exchange with referee Ashley Klein. This performance was as Walsh as they came.
There have been suggestions Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga could be ushered into the Maroons’ fold at halfback to replace the injured Tom Dearden, and he was seen regularly jumping into first receiver in the Knights’ 36-12 win against the Titans – finishing with 201 running metres and setting up winger Dom Young for his hat-trick.
A call-up into the halves would lock Walsh in a two-horse race with Dolphins rival Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for Queensland’s No.1 jumper.
“The Hammer” starred in the No.1 jumper last year, when Queensland triumphed in game three, and while his versatility would enable him to do a job in the centres or on the wing, his nose is now in front to retain his spot.
He ran for 171 metres and scored a brilliant solo try against South Sydney on Friday night in his last Origin statement before Billy Slater announces his team on Monday morning.
Boyd’s breakout to heartache amid Broncos implosion
Tanah Boyd’s breakout campaign could be over after the Warriors halfback suffered a suspected ACL rupture.
This was supposed to be the continuation of the Boyd fairytale after he rose from Brisbane and Gold Coast discard to become the face of New Zealand’s rise to the NRL’s top two.
There had even been suggestions he was on the State of Origin radar to assume the No.7 jumper in Dearden’s absence. What was most concerning about the sight of the 25-year-old reeling in agony was the fact it came without any contact – attempting to step off his foot before immediately jumping away in agony.
Despite the early loss of their chief general 10 minutes into the contest, the Warriors rallied without him – scoring shortly after he left the field as Dallin Watene-Zelezniak touched down in classy fashion in the corner.
Once Erin Clark charged over from close range, Brisbane’s wheels fell off.
This was as ill-disciplined as the Broncos had been in the Michael Maguire era, conceding 10 first-half penalties for a range of infringements – high contact, hip drops, illegal strips, and contacting the kicker’s legs all among them.
That build-up eventually resulted in Pat Carrigan being sent to the sin bin, with tries to Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell soon following before the break.
While Reynolds orchestrated a try of his own – his first of two – by targeting the wing of the sin binned Alofiana Khan-Pereira (high shot), the Broncos were never able to get close to a comeback. A Watene-Zelezniak intercept proved the final nail in the coffin and left the defending champions reeling off three-straight defeats.
Blues call-ups beckon
The New South Wales hooker battle had appeared to be a race between Reece Robson and Blayke Brailey, only for reports to emerge that Egan had been asked to pack heavy for his trip to Magic Round. If he is truly in contention, his exploits on Sunday would no doubt have been eye-catching for Blues coach Laurie Daley.
Despite his history of concussion issues, Egan left the Broncos’ ruck in tatters at times – scoring an early try before splitting the defence open to put Te Maire Martin over in the second half.
There is every chance he will be joined in the NSW camp by Jackson Ford, who was moved to the bench for the first time this season but continued his meteoric rise – finishing with 111 running metres and 32 tackles for no misses.
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