State of Origin: Reece Walsh calls out NRL critics after Game I heroics

Reece Walsh says his State of Origin debut was the first faultless game of his first grade career and the Maroons fullback has sent a clear message to those still questioning his toughness.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Maroons celebrates with Reece Walsh.

Maroons marvel Reece Walsh lashed his critics and admitted he wanted to prove a point in his stunning Origin debut.

Walsh produced a faultless performance in his maiden appearance for Queensland as the Maroons shocked the bumbling Blues 26-18 at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night.

Brisbane’s 20-year-old fullback sensation defused every bomb from NSW halfback Nathan Cleary, was error-free and slick in attack to help Queensland to a 1-nil series lead.

Walsh was a controversial selection by coach Billy Slater ahead of Queensland’s 2022 decider hero Kalyn Ponga and the Blues vowed to expose his potential for making errors.

But Walsh passed every test with flying colours and blasted suggestions his game is built on style instead of substance.

Billy Slater and Reece Walsh enjoy the Maroons’ Game I victory.

“Everyone thinks I’m not a tough footballer,” Walsh said.

“Where I come from is a tough area, mate. I’ve got bigger brothers. It’s been tough my whole life.

“Come out here and bash me. I’m up for it. I’ll be ready to go again and I’m looking forward to it.

“Of course I (wanted to prove a point). They thought I wasn’t ready and wasn’t up to it.

“That first one (bomb), when they put it up … I had to keep coming all night.

“At the end of the day, all I needed to do was my job. It’s my first ever game where I’ve had no errors.

“It was a gutsy win from the boys. We did it together for Queensland. Queensland should be proud of the boys.”

Reece Walsh was huge for Queensland in the series opener.

Walsh was peppered with high balls by New South Wales.

Walsh has made a name for himself in the NRL with his brilliant ball-playing and scintillating speed.

But it was the defensive side of his developing game which shone in the brutal Origin arena.

The Blues roughed up Walsh early, NSW winger Josh Addo-Carr dropping a forearm into him, but he took his medicine and kept turning up.

Walsh then put Broncos teammate Selwyn Cobbo in for a crucial try to keep Queensland in the hunt when the game was on the line.

Walsh said he wanted to stick it to the Blues and he couldn’t wait for Game Two at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.

“They’re always going to come (for me),” he said.

“They think they’re better than everyone down there in blue.

“I took the challenge on. Queensland, these boys, Billy, they needed me to do my job and that’s all I had my eyes on.

Reece Walsh surges the Maroons forward in Adelaide.

Reece Walsh walks onto the field with his daughter.

“When you wear a Maroons jersey, you’ve got to go out there and represent the whole state of Queensland.

“You don’t want to let these boys down or past players down. I knew I had to go out there and do my job.

“When you think of Origin as a Queenslander you think of Suncorp Stadium. It’s going to be a fiery one and an exciting game.

“I’ll be very excited to get out there and do my job and whatever the state and team needs me to do.”

Despite being battered and bruised, Walsh said he was keen to back-up from his Origin heroics for the Broncos when they face the Sharks in Cronulla on Saturday night.

Cobbo is likely to miss the Sharks game after suffering a hip pointer injury while prop Tom Flegler has escaped suspension for a high tackle on Blues star Tom Trbojevic, instead copping a fine.

Originally published as State of Origin: Reece Walsh calls out NRL critics after Game I heroics