Latest news with #ReeceWalsh
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say same thing as Reece Walsh suffers massive State of Origin blow
Reece Walsh suffered a Hammer blow on Saturday night as Hamiso-Tabuai Fidow scored four tries for the Dolphins and declared he wants to wear the No.1 jersey for Queensland in State of Origin 3. Maroons coach Billy Slater faces a tricky decision for the decider, with Kalyn Ponga ruled out with a foot injury. Walsh was Queensland fullback in 2023 and 2024, but many have called for Tabuai-Fidow to be given the nod to replace Ponga. Slater has the option of shifting Tabuai-Fidow to the back and bringing in a new winger - most likely Murray Taulagi from the Cowboys. In his final audition for the Origin role on Saturday, Walsh would have impressed Slater with a try assist, four tackle-breaks and 126 running metres in the Broncos' win over the Warriors. But Tabuai-Fidow blew him out of the water with a stunning four-try masterpiece as the Dolphins thrashed South Sydney. The Hammer had a whopping 22 runs for 263 metres, breaking seven tackles and crossing the line four times. Many believe he's Queensland's best fullback option (even when Ponga is fit) and he made himself the No.1 option with his performance on Saturday night. Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in nine games for Queensland, but has only ever played centre or wing in State of Origin. He was brilliant in Game 1 of last year's series when he moved to fullback after Walsh was concussed. Speaking after Saturday night's game, the Hammer declared he wants the No.1 jersey for Origin 3. "To have that No.1 on my back, would be super special for me," he said. "You think about the players that have worn that No.1 jersey (before me) and given it all. It's a bit of chop and change (after playing centre and wing already this series) but I'm comfortable with it. It's my preferred (position) and a good opportunity for me after playing fullback at club-land week in, week out." Walsh is hoping to add to his five State of Origin appearances for Queensland, and got the backing of his Broncos teammates and coach on Saturday. The 22-year-old is still sporting some heavy strapping on his knee after a six-week layoff recently, but Pat Carrigan reckons he's all good. "His knee looked good, he's done the work, ready to go and there's an opportunity," Carrigan said. "He's growing. He's still only 22 or whatever but he's playing tough for us and we're really appreciating what he's doing. He does what he does and they try to nail him every week so I know he'll be up for it." Broncos and NSW player Payne Haas said: "One hundred per cent (Walsh should be picked). He can do a job for them and he should be there." RELATED: Cobbo twist as Dolphins player makes immediate move to Roosters Stunning development for Billy Slater and family before Origin 3 While Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds declared: "I'm a Blue next Wednesday but I'd love to see him in that arena. He belongs in that arena. It certainly would give the Blues a few headaches and things to think about." On social media, fans weren't as convinced about Walsh. The general consensus is Tabuai-Fidow might get the nod, and a poll of over 12,000 Yahoo readers has the Hammer as the overwhelming preferred option. Just as Walsh got the jersey, Hammer just snatched it off him. Taulagi will be the decider — Kevs Tips (@tipsfromkev) June 28, 2025 QLD Maroons Game 3 backline (if they're actually serious about winning)1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow2. Xavier Coates3. Robert Toia4. Gehamat Shibasaki5. Valentine Holmes — NRL Silverback (@NRLSilverback) June 28, 2025 Yep!!! I think in terms of an actual fullback Walsh makes more sense. But for the overall team maybe Murray / Hammer. I wouldn't be mad either way — JG (@Jaiggg_) June 28, 2025 Hammer by a country mileWalsh still got a massive strapping for his knee — Kai Tangata (@PTMLSM91) June 28, 2025 Hammer is the best fullback in the league. — Mark Pickering (@markoid63) June 28, 2025
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Four-try Hammer's hand up to join Maroons fullback club
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has backed up his actions by declaring himself ready to be the next Queensland fullback as coach Billy Slater mulls his options for the State of Origin decider. Kalyn Ponga's foot injury suffered on Friday night has ruled the Newcastle No.1 out of next Wednesday's third game in Sydney. The contenders queued on Saturday, with 2024 custodian Reece Walsh in fine form for Brisbane before Dolphins whiz Tabuai-Fidow scored four times in his 100th NRL game to oust South Sydney. Walsh has battled soreness in his heavily strapped knee to stake his claims in what would be a straight swap with Ponga. STOP... Hammer time 🔨 — The Dolphins (@dolphinsnrl) June 28, 2025 But the other option would be to shift Tabuai-Fidow and call in North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi. Tabuai-Fidow has scored 11 tries in nine games for Queensland but played either centre or wing in all of those. Slater will name his squad on Monday, when they will again gather at their Sunshine Coast training base. "To have that No.1 on my back, would be super special for me," Tabuai-Fidow said after his sizzling milestone performance. "You think about the players that have worn that No.1 jersey (before me) and given it all. "It's a bit of chop and change (after playing centre and wing already this series) but I'm comfortable with it; it's my preferred and a good opportunity for me after playing fullback at club-land week in, week out." Walsh has played five Origins, all at fullback, and won the backing of his Broncos teammates after their third-straight win on Saturday. "His knee looked good, he's done the work, ready to go and there's an opportunity," Brisbane and Maroons forward Pat Carrigan said. "He's growing; he's still only 22 or whatever but he's playing tough for us and we're really appreciating what he's doing. "He does what he does and they try to nail him every week so I know he'll be up for it." Walsh copped some heavy attention in last year's Origin series and Blues prop Haas, fresh off playing alongside him on Saturday, said nothing would change if he was recalled. "It's State of Origin, you go after each other," he said. "One hundred per cent, he can do a job for them and he should be there." The Blues muted Queensland in an 18-6 win in Brisbane before the Maroons held off a NSW comeback to win 26-24 in Perth to level the series. "It'll be free flowing, the lungs will be burning and it'll be on," Carrigan said. "Decider footy, well and truly a cracking game."
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
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".
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Reece Walsh stars in Origin audition amid Warriors' double injury blow
The Broncos beat the Warriors 26-12 on the back of a starring display from Reece Walsh in his Origin audition amid two big injury blows for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium. Walsh finished with 103 metres, five tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak assist and a try assist to put his hand up to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga in game three. The Warriors lost their second straight game with the defeat compounded by injuries to fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and halfback Luke Metcalf. Adam Reynolds produced a pinpoint grubber for Kotoni Staggs to dive over and give the Broncos an early lead. Later, Ezra Mam came up with a pinpoint cut-out pass to put Josiah Karapani over for his fifth try in three games to extend the Broncos' lead. The Warriors gifted the Broncos a penalty goal from a ruck infringement allowing Reynolds to make it 12-0 to the home side. Metcalf looked to have set up a try for halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, but replays showed he didn't get the ball down. Walsh, in his State of Origin audition, then produced a perfectly timed short ball to put Gehamat Shibasaki over on the stroke of half-time as the Broncos took a commanding lead. Making matters worse for the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad later suffered a knee injury trying to make a tackle on Shibasaki and did not return after half-time. But the Warriors, as they have done all season, fought through the adversity as Adam Pompey produced the last pass for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to score in the corner after a brilliant long ball from Metcalf in the lead up as the Warriors got on the board. Walsh was then taken out chasing a Reynolds kick gifting the Broncos a penalty goal to make it 20-6, even though the Brisbane fullback appeared off-side. While Brisbane looked to be cruising at that point, Leka Halasmia then soared high to latch onto a kick from Harris-Tavita to give the Warriors a sniff at a late comeback. But then in a further blow for the Warriors, Metcalf came from the field with a knee injury as Brendan Piakura was placed on report for a late hit on the halfback. Mam and Reynolds combined to put Shibasaki over for a double as the Broncos sealed their third straight win to move back to fifth on the ladder. WALSH STAMPS ORIGIN CLAIMS With Ponga sensationally ruled out of the Origin decider because of a lisfranc injury suffered on Friday night, Walsh is right in the frame to earn a recall to the rep arena. Walsh is only a few weeks back from a PCL injury, which was still giving him a little bit of grief last week, but since he's returned, his form has been very good. Against the Warriors, Walsh was very lively. 'That was probably Walsh's best game of the season,' Michael Ennis said. 'Things were happening around Reece Walsh today.' For Maroons coach Billy Slater, his two fullback options to replace Ponga are Walsh or shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from the wing. After the Broncos star's performance against the Warriors, you'd have to think Slater will be leaning heavily towards Walsh.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: Broncos v Warriors
Broncos player Reece Walsh gets past Te Maire Martin of the Warriors during the NRL preliminary final between the Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: DAVE HUNT / AAP / PHOTOSPORT The Warriors are looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to an under strength Panthers side last weekend, and face a Broncos outfit coming off a big comeback win over the Sharks. Kick-off is at 5pm NZT. Follow all the action from RNZ's live blog: Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan Interchange: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Jack Gosiewski Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy, 19. Selwyn Cobbo, 20. Deine Mariner, 21. Jaiyden Hunt, 22. Ben Talty, 23. Kyle Pickering. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad, 2. Edward Kosi, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Marata Niukore, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jackson Ford, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers‑Smith, 19. Taine Boyd, 20. Samuel Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Taine Tuaupiki
