Walsh inspired by Ponga ahead of Origin showdown

Joel Gould | June 13, 2023

The seal of approval from Kalyn Ponga has given Reece Walsh an inspirational boost ahead of his second State of Origin game for Queensland.

Walsh will wear the No.1 jersey against NSW at Suncorp Stadium on June 21 after enjoying a ding-dong battle with Ponga in Brisbane’s 24-20 NRL win over Newcastle on Saturday night.

Last year’s Maroons fullback Ponga, who is sitting out the Origin series to focus on the Knights after multiple concussions, spoke after the game about how much Walsh deserved his chance and how he was backing him to shine.

The duo embraced after the club game and Walsh was moved by Ponga’s words.

“That was massive. KP is a terrific player and no doubt if I wasn’t here he could come in and easily do the job,” Walsh said.

“To be able to share words and see KP after the game in good spirits … that was awesome.

“As a kid growing up I was watching KP come through.”

Walsh said honouring the Ponga legacy in the Queensland No.1 jersey was paramount.

“When you put that Maroons jersey on you want to do the whole state and past players proud,” he said.

“The ones you are standing there going to war with, you want to do them proud.”

Walsh was superb in the 26-18 win over NSW in Adelaide and said coach Billy Slater had prepared him perfectly with advice that hit the mark.

“One thing is that the bigger the game the simpler your job becomes. It is just doing those hard things under fatigue,” he said.

“(Slater) is a freak. Some of the things he comes up with or shows you video of … it is like, ‘How do you think of that?’

“It is the little things. Positioning, the shape of your body in certain positions and where you should be on the field at certain times. It is things the average eye won’t see but one of the best fullback sees. When he tells you, then you listen.”

Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr gave Walsh a roughing-up early in Adelaide but the Maroons custodian said “that’s footy” and he would be ready for more of the same.

“I look forward to the challenges,” he said.

“That’s what comes with being a fullback. If I didn’t like those things I shouldn’t be here.

“Everyone is talking about how Suncorp is a different beast with the feeling you get when you run out with the national anthem, the crowd and all that sort of stuff.

“I am really excited to experience that.”