Reece Walsh says ‘I'm ready' to make State of Origin return

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Reece Walsh returned in style for the Brisbane Broncos and now the star fullback is putting his hand up for the Maroons.
Walsh was sidelined for six weeks with a PCL injury, but showed flashes of brilliance against the Gold Coast Titans as the Broncos secured the 44-14 victory.
The 22-year-old was so keen to get back on the park he reportedly told Broncos coaches to shut up and let him play, according to CODE Sports.
'I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there,'' Walsh said.
'It is good to be back. It feels good. I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself.''
After losing the Origin opener, several question marks hang over the Maroons squad with Walsh giving selectors something to think about at fullback.
'If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go,' Walsh said.
Slater was quizzed on a potential Walsh recall, but the Maroons coach kept his cards close to his chest but did concede he would be in the discussion.
'I have actually had this injury (a PCL). I know exactly what Reece was going through when he went down towards the back end of the game.
'Posterior cruciate ligaments can be quite painful and, to be honest, Reece is going to have to play with that for the rest of the season. It is something he will have to manage for the rest of the year.
'The other thing you have to think about is when you throw names up you have to take someone out. So it's a balance.''
Warriors star earns Maroons recall
New Zealand Warriors stalwart Kurt Capewell is reportedly set to be named in the Queensland side after remaining in Australia as his teammates returned home.
The 31-year-old played in Game 2 and 3 of the 2024 series, but was ultimately dropped for the 2025 series opener and was omitted from the 20-man squad.
According to AAP, Capewell is set to be rewarded for his strong club form, having spent time in the back row and centres this season under Andrew Webster.
The veteran back rower has already played 11 games for his state, having featured in all three fixtures in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
However, he didn't feature in 2023 before he was recalled on the bench in Game 2 last season and then in the back row in the decider.
DCE's Origin career all but over
Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly set to be dropped by the Maroons for State of Origin Game 2.
In what looms as the biggest selection call of Billy Slater's tenure so far, the Queensland coach is weighing up his halves combination for Game 2 after his side was thoroughly outplayed in the series opener.
According to Code Sports, Slater is currently leaning towards axing Cherry-Evans in a bombshell selection move, with the veteran's Origin career 'all but over'.
If Cherry-Evans is dropped, Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden would be named at halfback to partner five-eighth Cameron Munster after impressing off the bench in several Origin games.