State of Origin: Reece Walsh’s Queensland call-up costs Xavier Coates a Maroons spot

Reece Walsh was all smiles as he arrived in Maroons camp, but the State of Origin selection stunner proved painful for a fellow young gun.

Reece Walsh will make his Origin debut, while Xavier Coates has been dropped.

Queensland's decision to blood 18-year-old Reece Walsh has played a key role in the State of Origin axing of winger Xavier Coates.

Coates was below his best in Queensland’s first game loss but the bold call to include Walsh left the selectors thinking about offering him some sage support.

“It wasn’t by any stretch his fault the way we played in game one,’’ coach Paul Green said of Coates.

“I just think with Reece at the back having some more experienced guys on the wing would help Reece in particular.

“I was not too disappointed with Xavier’s game and I am sure he will be back in a Maroons jersey some time in the future.’’

Xavier Coates has been dropped from the Queensland side for Origin II. Picture: Adam Head

Former Test fullback Gary Belcher had expressed concerns in picking Walsh because of the fears that fullbacks could become isolated.

Walsh is an exceptional attacking player but it was his actions after making a mistake that convinced the selectors to gamble on him after just seven first grade games.

“It’s a great opportunity, it’s a great story. He has passed every test he has had to go through so far,” Green said.

“Good players in the past have come up to that level particularly around Origin so I’ve got confidence Reece will do that for us.

“He has certainly shown he has got confidence and he is not afraid to back himself.

“And a good trait in most good players is if they make a mistake they can get themselves back in the game quickly and he’s been able to do that.”

Reece Walsh has been called up for his Queensland State of Origin debut. Picture: John Gass

Meanwhile, Reece Walsh thought it was a gee-up and for one of the few times in his life fell speechless.

“Sorry who is that again?’’ he asked the voice behind the mystery number on his phone last night.

It was Queensland coach Paul Green and he had major news ... the 18-year-old whiz kid had become the youngest Maroon since Ben Ikin in 1995.

In explaining Walsh’s call-up for Sunday’s second State of Origin today, Green said the seven game first grader had qualities which suggested he could handle the special challenges of Origin.

“He’s a great story,’’ Green said. “They are good (phone) calls to make. First of all they think you are geeing them up and it is not me ringing and it’s one of their mates.

“He didn’t have a lot to say at the start but when it sunk in he was over the moon to get an opportunity.

“He has passed every test he has gone through so far. Good players in the past have come up to that level, particularly around Origin, so I am confident Reece will do that for us.

“He has certainly showed he has confidence. He is not afraid to back himself. A good trait in most good player is that if they make a mistake they get themselves back in the game and he does that.

“He has handled every step up. He is a confident kid. He is physical enough.’’

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The Maroons will unleash Reece Lightning.

Queensland coach Paul Green has taken one of the biggest gambles in Origin’s 41-year history by handing 18-year-old Warriors whizkid Reece Walsh his Maroons debut for Game Two.

As revealed by News Corp on Sunday, Walsh will become Queensland’s youngest player in 26 years, since Ben Ikin in 1995, when he wears the No.1 jumper at 18 years and 352 days in the Maroons’ desperate bid to save the series at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday night.

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Walsh has played just seven NRL games and only debuted in April, just weeks after his shock decision to quit the Broncos for a $1.2 million deal at the Warriors.

The former Broncos sensation has hit the NRL like a tsunami this season in his rookie year and now Green is hoping his attacking brilliance can fight fire with fire against a red-hot NSW backline.

The selection of Walsh is one of the biggest bombshells in Origin folklore, evoking images of Ikin being picked for Queensland after just four first-grade games at 18 years and 83 days during the 1995 Super League war.

Reece Walsh will make his Origin debut (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

In other stunning selection developments to hit Camp Maroon:

* Cowboys prop Frank Molo will also make his Origin debut, capping a emotional fightback after the James Ackerman tragedy in 2015;

* Broncos winger Xavier Coates has been axed;

* Titans’ $1.25 million man David Fifita has been dropped to the bench;

* Broncos discard and Dragons hooker Andrew McCullough has won a dramatic recall to the Origin arena to replace injured rake Harry Grant; and

* Jaydn Su’A and Joe Ofahengaue have been axed following Queensland’s 50-6 debacle in Origin I.

* Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has been called up as part of the extended Maroons squad for the first time.

Andrew McCullough returns to Origin. Picture: Peter Wallis

Maroons selectors have shunned any thoughts of conservatism in the wake of their Townsville horror show and are banking on some fresh blood to ignite a Queensland fightback at Suncorp

The freshest face of all is baby-faced Warriors flyer Walsh.

After just seven games, the Queensland under-18s sensation has four tries, six line breaks, eight try assists and 22 tackle busts and averages 123 run metres per game.

When Ponga was ruled out during the week, Green backed Walsh to handle an Origin baptism against the in-form Blues.

“There’s been guys in the past who have handled it at a young age,” Green said.

“As Wally Lewis (NRL Immortal and Queensland legend) said, ‘If you are good enough, you are old enough’.

“I haven’t had anything to do with Reece, but by all reports he is a confident kid.”

Walsh told News Corp last week: “It would be crazy to put on the Queensland jersey at senior level.

“I wouldn’t let Queensland down ... I would have a crack.”

Francis Molo is a bolter for the Maroons. Picture: Alix Sweeney

In other news, McCullough will make a stunning comeback to the Origin arena after Grant broke down in Melbourne’s defeat of Wests Tigers on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old played the last of his three Origin games in 2018 and McCullough’s Queensland career appeared to be over when he was released by the Broncos in February for a stint at the Dragons.

But after two injury-plagued years, the Dalby product has been a revelation for the Dragons, playing 14 games and rekindling his combination with former Broncos teammate Ben Hunt, who also returns to Camp Maroons.

Hunt’s inclusion as the No.14 utility is the ultimate redemption for the Dragons playmaker, who missed last year’s epic boilover of the Blues in the Origin decider after being axed by Wayne Bennett following his poor display in Game Two.

Ben Hunt returns after being axed last year (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

McCullough will be part of an engine room spearheaded by Josh Papalii, who returns to the side after missing Origin I with suspension.

Walsh’s blooding at fullback will see Valentine Holmes join Kyle Feldt on the wing, leaving no room for Coates, who has been axed after some indifferent form at the struggling Broncos.

Kurt Capewell will remain at left centre, while Fifita is a shock relegation to the bench, with Souths workhorse Jai Arrow to partner Felise Kaufusi in the back row.

But perhaps the biggest surprise is a debut for Cowboys prop Molo, who almost quit the game six years ago following the tragic death of Ackerman in an Intrust Super Cup game.

Molo left the Broncos seeking a fresh start in Townsville and the move has paid dividends for the 26-year-old enforcer, who will add some punch to the bench with Fifita.

FULL TEAM

1 Reece Walsh

2 Valentine Holmes

3 Kurt Capewell

4 Dane Gagai

5 Kyle Feldt

6 Cameron Munster

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Christian Welch

9 Andrew McCullough

10 Josh Papalii

11 Jai Arrow

12 Felise Kaufusi

13 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Bench

14 Ben Hunt

15 Mo Fotuaika

16 David Fifita

17 Frank Molo

18 Coen Hess

19 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Originally published as State of Origin: Reece Walsh’s Queensland call-up costs Xavier Coates a Maroons spot