How Broncos star Reece Walsh helped Jahream Bula find his way in the NRL

Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula explains the viral video of him and Broncos star Reece Walsh, revealing how his Brisbane counterpart helped inspire his own rugby league dream.

Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has revealed how the sight of Reece Walsh setting alight the NRL helped inspire his own rugby league dream.

Bula and Walsh will go head-to-head at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, six years after they were teammates at Keebra Park High School on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Walsh was the hot-shot fullback destined for a long career in the NRL.

Bula initially kept him out of the No.1 jersey, but eventually handed it over as Walsh began a journey that took him to the Brisbane Broncos, the Warriors and then back to Brisbane.

Images and YouTube footage of the pair at high school has done the rounds on social media this week in the lead-up to Saturday night’s game, the second time they have crossed paths in the NRL.

In one photo, a shy Bula is captured in the background as Walsh takes centre stage. In another video, Walsh conducts an interview with Bula over his performance the previous weekend.

Bula smiled when he was shown the pictures by this masthead.

“I just remember Keebra had this YouTube channel,” Bula said.

Jahream Bula has been a star for the Tigers since his explosion onto the NRL scene. Picture: NRL Images.

“I think Reece was the host on that episode. I was just standing in the background. That was when I didn’t have any clue as to whether I was going to play NRL.

“There is actually an interview where Reece is interviewing me in one of the episodes.

“That was pretty cool.

“He was asking me about the game we just played and how I could have done better. I think I just said I could have got involved more. It is good memories.

“It’s crazy to think that we played together and now we are both in the NRL.”

Not just playing in the NRL, but starring. Walsh is the Broncos’ million-dollar man, having become one of the faces of the game since taking hold of the Brisbane No.1 jersey.

Bula is doing great things himself as part of the surging Tigers, who head to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night with genuine hopes of springing an upset.

If that is to happen, Bula will need to be front and centre.

Jahream Bula on the charge for Keebra Park in the Langer Cup. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“In our younger years – in the junior years – it was me (at fullback),” Bula said.

“Then in the (later) years, he started playing fullback. He took the jumper off me. We were mates. He was a good player. Everyone knew he was going to make it in the NRL.

“He’s come a long way. He’s now the face of the NRL.

“So he was always talented growing up.”

Bula has watched Walsh closely but as much as he loves what his former teammate has done, he is very much his own man.

“He is a crafty player – he can be unpredictable at times so you have to study him pretty hard,” Bula said.

“I can definitely take stuff out of his game. He is a good ballplayer and he can create opportunities out of nowhere.

“So I can definitely learn stuff from him but I have my own style of play too.”

Reece Walsh interviews his former Keebra Park teammates

The Tigers are more than happy with their own No.1, who has been central to their plans this year. When the Tigers play well, Bula is usually in the thick of it.

His journey to the NRL hasn’t been a straight line. He drifted away from rugby league for a time before finding his way back, earning a train-and-trial deal with the Tigers.

From there, he quickly forced his way into first grade and was rewarded last season with a long-term deal that has given him the opportunity to set himself up for life.

Walsh played his part along the way by showing Bula that dreams can come true.

“It definitely made me think about if he can make it, then I can make it,” Bula said.

“It definitely was a rough path to get here and I don’t regret anything.

“Everything happens for a reason.”

Originally published as How Broncos star Reece Walsh helped Jahream Bula find his way in the NRL