Kevin Walters fuming over Reece Walsh concussion, calls for NRL to crack down on foul play

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has blasted opposition players who target Reece Walsh and the NRL for failing to issue harsher penalties for foul play.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii faces a lengthy ban for this tackle on Reece Walsh. Picture: NRL Imagery/Brett Costello

A fed-up Kevin Walters has blasted the NRL and called for Reece Walsh to be protected following revelations the star fullback will miss at least two games for the Broncos.

Walters has had enough of rivals illegally attacking Walsh’s head and has slammed the NRL over the four-week suspension for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s high shot on the Maroons ace in Origin I.

Walsh will miss Saturday night’s clash against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium under the code’s 11-day stand-down rule and will also be sidelined for Brisbane’s round 15 clash against Souths on Friday week.

In round three this year, Penrith centre Taylan May was cleared by the NRL match-review committee over an ugly high-speed collision which left Walsh with a facial fracture and saw him miss two games.

Usually a mild-mannered mentor who shies away from criticising officials, Walters has come out swinging, fearing Walsh could be bashed out of the game unless he is protected by the NRL.

Kevin Walters wants more done to protect the likes of Reece Walsh. Picture David Clark

“Crossing the line is a big one for me,” Walters said of the Walsh-Suaalii saga.

“That’s the second time that has happened and four weeks (suspension for Suaalii) for me is not enough.

“Teams have been targeting the better players for a long time, but I am not in agreement with the suspension.

“That won’t deter another player from coming out and the next time Reece plays, trying to take his head off again.

“I have to support our player and that’s twice now.

“The first time he (Penrith opponent May) didn’t get sin-binned or suspended – nothing.

“We want our great players to play. It’s not about toughness because Reece is as tough as any player in the game.

“But four weeks for ironing a bloke out the way he did, that’s not enough for me.”

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has taken a strong stance on high shots in the game, but Walters challenged the NRL to dish out more severe suspensions to prevent attacks on the code’s blue-chip stars.

Reece Walsh will miss at least two games for the Broncos after his Origin concussion. Picture: Getty Images

“The NRL have got to protect him (Walsh), that’s who has to protect him and be harder on the suspensions,” Walters said.

“Four weeks for what he (Suaalii) actually did, Reece will be missing for us for a while.

“We won’t play ‘Walshy’ next week (against Souths), so we have to live with that.

“I’m sure he will be right (for Origin II), and this stuff happens in the game, but it has to be policed well.

“It was policed well on Wednesday night (with referee Ashley Klein sending off Suaalii), but I just thought they could have gone a bit harder with the suspension.

“But that’s me and protecting my players which is part of my role.”

Asked if NSW coach Michael Maguire formulated a deliberate plan to bash Walsh, Walters said: “It’s not right for me to try and feel what their plan was, but I saw what their actions were and that was the first block play of the game.

“You make your own mind up.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii faces a lengthy ban for this tackle on Reece Walsh. Picture: NRL Imagery/Brett Costello

In a boost for the Broncos, Brisbane’s other Origin stars – Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan – have been cleared to play, while Tristan Sailor has made a speedy recovery from ankle surgery to replace Walsh at fullback.

“Tristan has been magnificent with his attention to detail around his recovery and rehab,” Walters said.

“He has been in here seven days a week for the last three weeks getting it right.

“Hats off to Tristan, it’s come at a really good time, too, with what happened to Walshy.

“He showed real professionalism over the last three weeks post-operation to get back on the field and running, it’s great.”

Walters concedes the Broncos (7-5) are under pressure to muscle up in defence against the Sharks after their shock last-start 36-34 loss to the Titans.

“We all have to look at ourselves, coaches and players,” Walters said.

“It (their loss to the Titans) wasn’t up to our standards so we get an opportunity to start setting the bar where it needs to be set.”

Originally published as Kevin Walters fuming over Reece Walsh concussion, calls for NRL to crack down on foul play