NRL 2023: Herbie Farnworth’s Broncos future in doubt as Reece Walsh secures fullback spot

Herbie Farnworth’s failure to land Brisbane’s No.1 jersey has opened the door for rival NRL clubs to make a fresh bid on the off-contract rising star.

Herbie Farnworth. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Reece Walsh has won the race for Brisbane’s No.1 jersey, thrusting the future of England Test star Herbie Farnworth at the Broncos into the spotlight.

The Courier-Mail can confirm Walsh will start the 2023 NRL season as Broncos coach Kevin Walters’ first-choice fullback despite challenges from Farnworth and Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo.

Walsh returned to Red Hill in the off-season after playing the past two seasons with the Warriors, who he made his NRL debut for in 2021 following his release from Brisbane.

Despite being one of the NRL’s hottest young fullback talents, Walters insisted Walsh wasn’t guaranteed the No.1 role when he rejoined the Broncos.

But it has become clear he will get first crack at fullback after training exclusively in his favoured position since the Broncos returned from their Christmas break.

Reece Walsh will be Brisbane’s fullback. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

The confirmation of Walsh securing the fullback duties has raised questions about Farnworth’s future at Red Hill.

The gun centre last year knocked back interest from numerous clubs, including the cashed-up Dolphins, to sign a one-season contract extension with the Broncos because he wanted to have a crack at playing fullback.

But Farnworth is set to remain at his current position of left centre, opening the door for rival clubs to make a fresh bid for the off-contract rising star.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said the club was determined to keep Farnworth, who scored 10 tries in 12 games last year before a serious biceps injury ended his season.

Herbie Farnworth injured his bicep in 2022. Picture: NRL

“Herbie is a terrific player who’s really developed over the last few years,” he said.

“He’s coming into the peak of his game and we’d love to keep him, like we would all our players.

“He is a fine young man and had a great experience with England at the World Cup. He is great around the group and is set for a big year.

“He was a big loss last year when he went down injured. Coming back in, he will be like a new signing for the group given he missed half a season. We’re really looking forward to seeing what he does.

“There’s still a little bit to do around what the salary cap looks like and some uncertainty, but once we’re clear on that we’d love to start some discussions with Herbie and his management to keep him at the Broncos longer term.”

A Manchester United Academy member as a youngster, Farnworth moved to Australia in his teens to pursue a rugby league career.

He made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2019 and was last year one of the NRL’s strike centres before injury brought him down in round 14, prematurely ending his season.

Farnworth, 23, starred for England in last year’s World Cup, scoring a double in the host nation’s semi-final loss to Samoa, and has brought that experience back to Red Hill.

His wing partner, Corey Oates, said he hoped the Broncos could retain Farnworth as he enters the prime of his career.

Farnworth was excellent for England in the World Cup. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty

“The Broncos have been known for producing really good young talents. We’ve got a whole lot of them coming and a whole lot here right now,” he said.

“To be able to keep them all … you can’t say we will, but hopefully the boys that have been here for a little while get set in a city and feel comfortable with the players and club. It becomes a big family that’s pretty hard to leave when it’s a really tight group.

“Hopefully he stays. It’s his career, I can’t tell him what to do.

“He is going to be a massive talent if he keeps his head on. He’s done that well in the last 18 months with what’s gone on at the club and how the performances have been.

“He’s been a really big improver for us. He’s got a lot more to offer and he knows that. He’s working hard.

“(The World Cup) would have been a great experience for him. I’m really happy for him and how he went as an individual.

“He’s come back really confident and is talking more in the group huddles.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Herbie Farnworth’s Broncos future in doubt as Reece Walsh secures fullback spot