NRL 2022: Selwyn Cobbo, Reece Walsh on collision course for fullback role at Broncos

Emerging superstar Selwyn Cobbo has outlined his goal to be Brisbane’s fullback, which is set to put the heat straight on returning whiz-kid Reece Walsh next season.

Selwyn Cobbo and Reece Walsh are set to battle for the No.1 jumper at the Broncos

Queensland Origin sensation Selwyn Cobbo has outlined his goal to be Brisbane’s fullback — putting him on a potential collision course with Broncos golden-boy recruit Reece Walsh.

As he prepares for Wednesday night’s blockbuster Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, Maroons winger Cobbo revealed he has longer-term ambitions to wear the Broncos No.1 jumper, turning up the heat on whizkid Walsh.

The electrifying Walsh will join the Broncos next season on a three-year deal after being granted a compassionate release by the Warriors.

The 19-year-old will report for Brisbane’s pre-season in November and is almost certain to get first crack at the hotly-contested No.1 jumper for the 2023 premiership.

But Walsh’s signing will spark a fierce battle for positions at Red Hill given that Cobbo, Tesi Niu and British ace Herbie Farnworth also see futures in the fullback role.

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Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo will be teammates at the Broncos next season. Picture: NRL Images

Cobbo, rated Brisbane’s version of Latrell Mitchell, has emerged as a superstar on the wing this season, while Farnworth has told coach Kevin Walters he wants to move from centre to fullback next year.

Te Maire Martin has been superb over the past eight weeks filling in at fullback for the injured Niu, but the former Cowboys playmaker remains off-contract at season’s end and Walsh’s arrival could force him out of Red Hill.

When Martin injured his ribs against the Cowboys last week, Cobbo shifted to fullback and showed his class with 188 metres, three line breaks, eight tackle busts and a try in Brisbane’s 40-26 loss.

While the Maroons rookie says he is happy to play anywhere in the Broncos backline, he has his heart set on the No.1 jumper.

“Hopefully one day I can be the starting fullback for the Broncos,” Cobbo said.

“Last week, I played 60 minutes at fullback and it was pretty tough. I enjoyed it, but my lungs were burning. I played with a bit of instinct. It’s been a while since I played fullback and I enjoyed it at the back there.

Selwyn Cobbo has ambitions to be the Broncos’ fullback. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Either way, I’m not too fussed. As long as I’m running out in a Broncos jumper, it doesn’t bother me too much where I play, but I do enjoy fullback.”

Walters could face some selection fireworks deciding his first-choice fullback next season.

When Farnworth committed to a 12-month extension with the Broncos last month, he did so on the understanding he would spend the 2023 pre-season training at fullback as part of his planned transition from the centres.

Speculation is rife the Broncos promised Farnworth the fullback role next season.

Brisbane officials insist that is not the case, with Farnworth to be given an opportunity to press his claims for the No.1 jumper.

Either way, there was no inkling Walsh was plotting a return to Red Hill when Farnworth inked his new contract with the Broncos.

Reece Walsh will get first crack at the fullback at the Broncos next season. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

The other selection elephant in the room at Red Hill is the evolution of Cobbo.

The 20-year-old is happy serving his apprenticeship on the wing, but even Brisbane’s own internal succession planning has flagged the prospect of Cobbo moving to fullback in the coming seasons.

The likes of Mitchell, Greg Inglis and Walsh’s former Warriors mentor Roger Tuivasa-Sheck all had stints on the wing before shifting to the backfield and Cobbo is earmarked for an identical transition.

Should that occur, Brisbane have not ruled out eventually moving Walsh from fullback to five-eighth as a possible scrumbase partner for Ezra Mam when skipper Adam Reynolds’ Broncos contract expires in 2024.

Herbie Farnworth is another fullback option at the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Cobbo and Walsh first crossed paths as budding superstars at the Broncos Academy in 2020.

The pair were reunited a fortnight ago in Camp Maroon for Origin II - Walsh was named in the Queensland’s extended 22-man squad - and Cobbo is relishing the return of his Broncos Academy cohort.

“It’s pretty exciting for Reece to come back to where it started. It will be good,” he said.

“We grew up in the Academy together and then he went into the NRL before me. I never got the chance to play NRL with Reece before he left for the Warriors, but hopefully we can play together at the Broncos.

“He is a good fella. He is one of the most talented young guys in the game and it will be great to see him at the Broncos.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Selwyn Cobbo, Reece Walsh on collision course for fullback role at Broncos