Reece Walsh in major twist after three Queensland stars ruled out of State of Origin 2
Billy Slater has some big decisions to make after a double injury blow.
Reece Walsh is firming for a spot on the Queensland bench for State of Origin 2 after Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki were ruled out on Monday. In a brutal double blow for Queensland and the Broncos, Carrigan suffered a syndesmosis injury in Round 13 that will sideline him for three to four weeks.
Shibasaki suffered a Grade 2 MCL injury in the same game and will miss five to six weeks, meaning he’s in danger of missing the rest of the Origin series. Maroons coach Billy Slater is now without three gun players for Origin 2, with halfback Tom Dearden not due to return for another three weeks.
Shibasaki was unused on the six-man interchange bench in Origin 1, even after Kalyn Ponga was sent off. Slater made the interesting decision to shift second-rower Kurt Capewell to centre instead of putting Shibasaki on the field.
(Darrian Traynor)
With Shibasaki’s injury and Ezra Mam being out of form, calls are growing for Slater to pick Walsh for Game 2. The Maroons went without Walsh for Game 1 because they thought he was playing without confidence.
Tellingly he didn’t wear head-gear or a face guard on Sunday against the Dragons in a key indication he’s fully recovered from his cheekbone fracture. The fullback wasn’t at his best against St George Illawarra, but did provide two late try assists to get the Broncos within four points after they trailed by 22.
Calls for Reece Walsh to return for State of Origin 2
Leading journo Robert Craddock wrote in The Courier Mail on Tuesday: “Queensland are one down in the series. They need an injection of stardust. Walsh may be below his best but can you imagine the snap and crackle he could provide coming on with 15 minutes to play in Melbourne?”
Speaking after Game 1, NRL commentator Justin Horo said Slater missed a trick by not having Walsh on his bench. “Imagine if he has Reece Walsh instead of Shibasaki or Ezra on the bench?” Horo said on SEN radio. “And then you don’t change your edges because Kurt Capewell stays at edge and in the middle of the field.
“You can’t tell me honestly, you would not have preferred Reece Walsh to come on the field with 20 minutes to go on that game, please. I think Reece Walsh changes the dynamic (and) the look of the final 20 minutes.”
As for Carrigan’s replacement, the likes of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Heilum Luki, Tom Gilbert, Corey Horsburgh and Moeaki Fotuaika will all come into consideration.