Walsh's huge nod after Ponga blow opens Origin door
Reece Walsh has the endorsement of the enemy for a State of Origin recall after incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was scratched ahead of the series decider.
Newcastle confirmed on Saturday the Knights star had suffered a lisfranc injury in Friday's loss to Canberra that will keep him sidelined until late in the regular season.
Ponga's injury potentially opens the door for Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane.
The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games.
Back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane.
But Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi could be recalled after Billy Slater overlooked him for the opening two games.
Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for the Sydney decider.
But five-time Maroon Walsh has made his case, again impressive in a third-straight Brisbane win later on Saturday as he continues to defy soreness in a heavily-strapped knee.
"I'm a Blue next Wednesday but I'd love to see him in that arena; he belongs in that arena," Broncos captain and former Blues half Adam Reynolds said.
"It certainly would give the Blues a few headaches and things to think about."
Reynolds has long urged the 22-year-old to play with more patience, something he admits is a fragile work in progress.
"It's sort of like my kids at times with him and Ez (Mam) out there; you've got to tell them a couple of times throughout the game," Reynolds said.
"But he brings a lot of x-factor to the team and you don't want to completely shut him off from that.
"You bite your tongue from time to time, but when things get a bit out of control you try and rope it in and get back to the game plan.
"I certainly love what he brings, and his energy all the boys feed off that."
Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year.
On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights.
A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the NRL finals this year.
Despite being one of the best fullbacks in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019.
Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season".
Reece Walsh has the endorsement of the enemy for a State of Origin recall after incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was scratched ahead of the series decider.
Newcastle confirmed on Saturday the Knights star had suffered a lisfranc injury in Friday's loss to Canberra that will keep him sidelined until late in the regular season.
Ponga's injury potentially opens the door for Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane.
The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games.
Back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane.
But Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi could be recalled after Billy Slater overlooked him for the opening two games.
Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for the Sydney decider.
But five-time Maroon Walsh has made his case, again impressive in a third-straight Brisbane win later on Saturday as he continues to defy soreness in a heavily-strapped knee.
"I'm a Blue next Wednesday but I'd love to see him in that arena; he belongs in that arena," Broncos captain and former Blues half Adam Reynolds said.
"It certainly would give the Blues a few headaches and things to think about."
Reynolds has long urged the 22-year-old to play with more patience, something he admits is a fragile work in progress.
"It's sort of like my kids at times with him and Ez (Mam) out there; you've got to tell them a couple of times throughout the game," Reynolds said.
"But he brings a lot of x-factor to the team and you don't want to completely shut him off from that.
"You bite your tongue from time to time, but when things get a bit out of control you try and rope it in and get back to the game plan.
"I certainly love what he brings, and his energy all the boys feed off that."
Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year.
On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights.
A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the NRL finals this year.
Despite being one of the best fullbacks in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019.
Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season".
Reece Walsh has the endorsement of the enemy for a State of Origin recall after incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was scratched ahead of the series decider.
Newcastle confirmed on Saturday the Knights star had suffered a lisfranc injury in Friday's loss to Canberra that will keep him sidelined until late in the regular season.
Ponga's injury potentially opens the door for Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane.
The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games.
Back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane.
But Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi could be recalled after Billy Slater overlooked him for the opening two games.
Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for the Sydney decider.
But five-time Maroon Walsh has made his case, again impressive in a third-straight Brisbane win later on Saturday as he continues to defy soreness in a heavily-strapped knee.
"I'm a Blue next Wednesday but I'd love to see him in that arena; he belongs in that arena," Broncos captain and former Blues half Adam Reynolds said.
"It certainly would give the Blues a few headaches and things to think about."
Reynolds has long urged the 22-year-old to play with more patience, something he admits is a fragile work in progress.
"It's sort of like my kids at times with him and Ez (Mam) out there; you've got to tell them a couple of times throughout the game," Reynolds said.
"But he brings a lot of x-factor to the team and you don't want to completely shut him off from that.
"You bite your tongue from time to time, but when things get a bit out of control you try and rope it in and get back to the game plan.
"I certainly love what he brings, and his energy all the boys feed off that."
Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year.
On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights.
A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the NRL finals this year.
Despite being one of the best fullbacks in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019.
Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season".
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