State of Origin: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii comes into NSW camp to mimic Reece Walsh

After knocking him out in State of Origin I, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii played the role of Reece Walsh in the Blues’ opposed session in the Blue Mountains on Saturday.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii clobbered Reece Walsh in State of Origin I – now he’s mimicking the gun Queensland fullback at NSW training.

In a remarkable irony, the suspended Suaalii was drafted into NSW camp and impersonated Walsh during a high-intensity opposed training session in the Blue Mountains on Saturday.

Ron Massey Cup side Wentworthville was engaged to run against NSW as preparations ramp-up ahead of Wednesday night’s State of Origin game in Melbourne.

NSW coach Michael Maguire revealed using Suaalii as a Walsh clone during the session.

Part of the Wentworthville side, Suaalii swept out the back on multiple occasions to copycat the brilliance of Walsh.

Walsh hasn’t played since Origin I after being hit high in a tackle which resulted in Suaalii being sent off and suspended for four games.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii ran with the Blues on Saturday. Picture: Tim Hunter.

NSW invited Suaalii back to ensure he still felt part of the squad.

“He (Suaalii) is definitely handy to have around,” Maguire said.

“Joey is 196cm compared to (Walsh) but he did mimic him and was sweeping out the back.

“He played out the back and ran different things for us.

“I wanted him in the opposition because the other players would lift.

“Joey filled in a number of positions. It was more about him being with us.

“Because of the circumstances and he had time off (through the suspension), I said to ‘Robbo’ (Trent Robinson), ‘I want to bring him up and support him’.

“At the end of the day he’s potentially available for the third Origin.

“He also lifted the Wenty boys.”

Putting in the work 🫡 #MadeForMorepic.twitter.com/tSOkuSRH8b

— NSWBlues (@NSWBlues) June 22, 2024

It is understood Suaalii returned to the Sydney Roosters after training.

NSW prop Payne Haas explained how Walsh could be shut down at the MCG.

“You have to take time away from ‘Walshy’ or he is going to carve you up,” Haas said.

“If you do that, you go a long way to stopping him.”

In another surprise, NSW drafted in leading referee Gerard Sutton to adjudicate the opposed session.

The appearance of Suaalii and Sutton at training shows NSW shifting to another level ahead of the do-or-die game against Queensland.

Sutton kept a tight rein on the opposed session. The Blues invited NRL referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski to training last week.

“We’ve got a full-on opposed session today and will get a gauge (through Sutton) of how the game will go on Wednesday,” Haas said.

Cameron McInnes and Suaalii joined Wentworthville to oppose the Blues. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“I feel like Queensland will be doing the same too. Everyone is trying to get an advantage in Origin. We’ll nail today and get a gauge on how the game will go.

“It’s pretty good, you can ask them (referees) questions on what they are looking at and probably get some pointers. We do it at Broncos too, (former referee) Tony Archer comes up.

“We can ask how long you can stay in certain tackles.”

Blues forward Liam Martin said Sutton helped with NSW’s timing.

“We often have refs come to training to get used to their timing,” Martin said.

“It was great to have him here to get a few (repetitions) and work on our timing with him.”

Martin declared himself a certain starter after being troubled with a toe ligament injury.

He trained on Saturday for the first time in camp although it’s likely he will play Origin II with the assistance of an injection.

“It’s feeling good. I’ve been off training, just to manage the load, and make sure it’s feeling good. I’m ready to go,” Martin said.

“I’ll warm up on my own and get it going. I’ll be in for the full session.”

Asked if he would require a painkiller, Martin said: “Hopefully I can play without one as well because they’re not the funniest of things. It’s been three weeks since I did it.

“It should be fully healed and good to go.”

Originally published as State of Origin: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii comes into NSW camp to mimic Reece Walsh