‘Hard to compete’: Walsh’s candid admission over Aussie No.1 battle
Reece Walsh has conceded he likely won’t be Australia’s first-choice No.1 at the Rugby League World Cup, but has vowed to use it as a golden opportunity to learn from one of the greatest ever fullbacks, James Tedesco.
The 24-year-old was the Kangaroos fullback in last year’s Ashes series and helped the side to a clean sweep, but is now expected to deputise for Tedesco.
Reece Walsh speaks to media. George Chan
Fresh off a Clive Churchill Medal win in the Roosters’ grand final victory, Tedesco will now don the green and gold jersey for the first time since 2023.
Panthers star Dylan Edwards, who was the back-up for Walsh at the end of last year, has been sidelined due to injury, while Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga will play for the Kiwis after switching his allegiance earlier this year.
Speaking to media on Thursday before the Kangaroos’ tournament opener against New Zealand next week, Walsh acknowledged he faced an uphill battle to see game time, but found a silver lining of being behind Tedesco.
“It’s hard to compete with Clive,” he said.
“I’m obviously grateful to be in camp. I was watching Teddy when I was a kid. To see what he’s done over the last few weeks, it’s going to be hard for myself to push for a position – but I’m confident in my ability.
“I can’t wait to be a sponge and learn off him. He’s one of the greats to do it in our game, and I’m lucky enough to be able to rub shoulders with him.
“I wish I could be half the player Teddy is. For myself to be able to see the way Teddy prepares for a game, as a 24-year-old, I’m pretty stoked with that.
“If there are some small things I can take away and put into my game, if I can be half the player that he’s been, I’ll be happy with that.”
Walsh spoke about watching Tedesco while he was still in school, but now gets to train alongside arguably the greatest fullback of all-time over the next month.
Tedesco has one of the sport’s most incredible resumes, becoming a three-time premiership winner with the Roosters last weekend, adding more silverware to a career that also includes two Dally Ms and the 2019 Wally Lewis Medal.
There were concerns over whether Walsh would be able to take part in the World Cup or be named in Kevin Walters’ 23-man squad at all, after the Broncos star missed the back-end of the season with an ankle injury.
Walsh said he did everything in his power to be fit in time and lauded Brisbane’s medical team for helping him be part of the Aussie set-up again.
“We’ve got such good staff there who manage injuries really well,” he said.
Reece Walsh had a tough 2026 campaign. Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.
“One of the physios there, Shred, has been thrashing me for the last six weeks. So it’s good to get back into the team environment and be around more players instead of just getting thrashed by myself ...
“I’m going to do everything I can to push for this team, whether that’s starting or whether it’s not. I’m just going to try my best.”
Walsh admitted his form was “disappointing” at times this season, but felt that he “tried hard” even if the results didn’t go Brisbane’s way after a 2025 premiership.
Australia will meet the Kiwis next Thursday night at Allianz Stadium in a blockbuster RLWC opener.
