Souths star Cody Walker has embraced criticism from NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler
NSW coach Brad Fittler didn’t pull any punches when he dumped Cody Walker from the Blues after one game — but with Origin now a distant memory the Rabbitohs playmaker has made a surprising admission.
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Rabbitohs livewire Cody Walker has vowed to embrace suggestions from NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler that he starts big games too tentatively, revealing: “I’m aware of the criticism … and it’s true”.
In a surprise twist to his 2019 NRL premiership tilt, Walker has revealed he will face the Manly at ANZ Stadium this Friday motivated by the same man who controversially dumped him from Origin after just one game.
Only last week, Fittler used his Wide World of Sports podcast to suggest the 29-year-old was still playing with the same uncertainty that saw him hooked during Origin I, and then axed from a Blues outfit that would eventually claim the series.
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The NSW coach added that if the Rabbitohs were to go all the way this year, then the Bunnies No. 6 needed to be more aggressive at the start of games.
Asked about the comments on Tuesday, Walker said: “I’m aware of it.
“And that’s great criticism that I take on board.
“It’s pretty true, what he (Fittler) is saying. I do need to inject myself into games.
“Whether that’s through a run or through pushing support with my mates, that’s what gets me into games.”
Despite being pumped by the Roosters 30-6 in week one of the playoffs, the Bunnies will start overwhelming favourites against a Sea Eagles side missing superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic.
Better, Walker insists he can regain the type of form that won him a Blues starting spot in the first place.
“I can get better,” the indigenous playmaker stressed.
“On the weekend I just failed to get into the game, at certain points. So I have to find a way to get into the game … whether that’s a run or pushing up with my teammates, just trying to get into the game.”
Elsewhere, Walker shrugged off a media report suggesting that, with his contract up at the end of 2020, he was under growing pressure to retain his spot as the long-term No.6.
Asked about suggestions the club would baulk at his $700,000 asking price if he failed to deliver when it mattered, Walker shrugged: “I don’t know what’s come out so I can’t really comment on any of that.
“I’ve been the number six here for the last couple of years so, unless I get told otherwise, I can’t really comment on it.”
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And as for now challenging a Sea Eagles side that just keeps winning against the odds?
“Both our games this year have been decided by one point,” Walker said.,
“They’re a tough side and a gritty side.
“A lot of their games go down to the wire and obviously Des (coach Hasler) has done a great job this year rallying his troops when they’re not at full strength.
“They’ve just turned up every week and really put it to the opposition. So we’ll be up for a big occasion out there at ANZ Stadium.”
Originally published as Souths star Cody Walker has embraced criticism from NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler