Reece Walsh says he understands why he was left out of Queensland’s State of Origin squad for the series opener, admitting his form has not been good enough.
Walsh was a high-profile omission from the Maroons’ line-up for last week’s Origin I in Sydney, with selectors opting for Kalyn Ponga at fullback.
Ponga hardly made a mistake during the first half but was sent off inside the final 20 minutes of the match for a shoulder charge on NSW winger Tolu Koula.
It was a pivotal moment as the Blues scored 16 unanswered points after Ponga left to field, eventually winning 22-20.
There was no spot for Walsh on the Maroons bench, with Brisbane teammates Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki included ahead of the 23-year-old.
“I know the standards it takes to play for Queensland and I’m honest with myself. I probably haven’t been living up to those standards,” Walsh said.
“That’s what makes it [State of Origin] so great. Once you put that [Maroons] jersey on, you know what it takes to get back there.
“I’m a realist and I understand I haven’t been upholding those standards, but it’s about putting in the hard work at training and relaying that back onto the field.
“If I keep working hard in those areas I’m sure the opportunity will come again.”
Shibasaki will miss the rest of the Origin series with a knee injury and Mam has been demoted to the Broncos bench for Saturday night’s home match against Gold Coast.
“It’d be nice to be in that arena and be amongst the Queenslanders again,” Walsh said.
“But my full focus right now is playing good footy for the Broncos and working really hard here in this building. Whatever comes, comes.
“I feel like I’m working hard on my standards and the areas I need to improve in. I’m not a selector and I’m not the one who makes the call, so that’s up to them.”
Walsh’s attacking statistics are down this year compared with his brilliant 2025 when he ignited the Broncos’ charge to the premiership.
He is averaging 121 run metres, the lowest figure during his time at the Broncos and below the 148-metre average of last season.
Walsh was sidelined with a fractured cheek earlier this season and the Broncos have not won any of the four matches since his return.
They lost 30-26 to St George Illawarra in Brisbane last Sunday, with the result leaving the defending premiers in 11th place on the ladder.
AAP
By
