'I'll keep that in house': Slater tight-lipped as Walsh recalled for Origin II
Queensland coach Billy Slater was tight-lipped as he was peppered with questions about his recall of Reece Walsh for State of Origin II, saying “we know what he’s capable of” and little else.
Slater has named Walsh on his six-man bench for the June 17 clash at the MCG, after sensationally deciding not to pick him for the series opener won by NSW 22-20.
Broncos superstar Reece Walsh. Getty
Slater axed Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam to make room for Walsh.
“We just think it’s the best thing for the footy team,” Slater said on Monday after finalising his 20-man squad.
“We all know what Reece is capable of doing, and now we’ve got 10 days to go after our best footy and help our players be at their best.”
Walsh has been recalled despite the Broncos’ five-game losing streak and the superstar fullback’s patchy form.
The 2025 Clive Churchill Medallist was beaten in defence a couple of times as Brisbane lost 28-23 to Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Asked what parts of Walsh’s game had impressed him in recent weeks, Slater put up his guard.
“I’ll keep all that stuff in house,” he said.
“I’ve got a great relationship with Reece. That goes back to when he debuted for the Warriors, and he’s built a really good game, and if needed, I’m sure he’ll go out there and perform that.
“We know what he’s capable of, and it’s about us playing our best football as a footy team. We’re more than one person and that’s been the strength of this footy team for a long time.”
Slater again brought attention back to the team when asked how far off his best he thought Walsh was.
“Like I said, we’re more than one person, one player,” he said.
“The strength of the team is the team, and that’s what we’ll be going after.”
Asked what kind of role he envisioned Walsh playing in game two, Slater said: “Yeah, we’ll work that out as the week goes on.”
Reece Walsh in action for Queensland. Getty
Walsh appeared to be playing injured against the Titans on Saturday night but Brisbane coach Michael Maguire denied that was the case.
To account for the loss of Broncos workhorse Patrick Carrigan to an ankle injury, Slater promoted Dolphins second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki from 20th man to the bench and brought in Cowboys back-rower Heilum Luki to be 20th man.
To cover the loss of Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki to a knee injury, he recalled Cowboys outside back Murray Taulagi.
Slater also moved Reuben Cotter from the second row to lock, promoted Briton Nikora from the bench to the second row, and moved Max Plath from lock to the bench.
Queensland’s team for game two
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Robert Toia 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Cameron Munster (c) 7. Sam Walker 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Max Plath 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Trent Loiero 18. Reece Walsh 19. Murray Taulagi 20. Heilum Luki
