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Maroons debutant Reece Walsh thrived on being targeted by a NSW Blues outfit he said “think they own the game”.
The fullback had heard all the banter before the Maroons 26-18 win in Adelaide in the State of Origin series opener, with the Blues announcing before the game they were coming for him.
He was peppered with high balls by Nathan Cleary and caught them all.
Josh Addo-Carr came for him with a swinging arm when he was on the ground. It was water off a duck’s back to Walsh.
“They were always going to come (for me). They think they are better than everyone down there in blue,” he said.
“They think they own the game. I took the challenge on. Queensland, these boys … Billy (Slater) and the whole coaching staff made it easy for me.
“I knew I had to go out there and do my job. That’s it. I didn’t look too far. I didn’t look too short.
“I just had to go out and be Reece Walsh.”
The rookie Origin fullback set up winger Selwyn Cobbo for his second try with a no-look cutout pass and was involved in his Broncos teammate’s first in a classy all-round display.
Walsh said being coached by Slater in the leadup was key to his success.
“He’s the greatest fullback to play the game and spent countless hours with me talking positional play and where I can pop up on the field,” Walsh said.
“There were little things about my positioning, where I use my energy, being smart on the field … all the small things.
“He was a really detailed fullback. He is a really detailed coach. He is a really good person and cares about you. You don’t want to let him down.”
Slater returned the compliments, with plenty of praise for the debutant.
“The young lad at fullback has so much substance to his game outside of the highlights,” the Queensland coach said.
“We all love seeing Reece Walsh pull the trigger on a pass, his blistering speed or his involvement in the game … but he is building a foundation to his game that is going to hold him in good stead for a long period of time.
“That’s what I have seen. That is what I have liked and that is why he is here.
“He is a quality player and a good young man. He has a big future ahead of him.”
© AAP
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