State of Origin 2024: Reece Walsh says he won’t be bullied by NSW into changing his attacking mindset

Maroons superstar Reece Walsh has sent an inspirational message to Queensland supporters and past players, after revealing he smoked the peace pipe with the man who knocked him out of Origin I.

Reece Walsh. Pics Adam Head

Maroons star Reece Walsh says he won’t be bullied by NSW into changing his attacking approach and declared he isn’t “scared” of another brutal Blues assault in Origin II.

Speaking for the first time since his sickening concussion in Origin I, Walsh insists there is no bad blood with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, revealing the NSW debutant privately reached out to smoke the peace pipe.

Suaalii was sent off and slapped with a four-match ban for an ugly high shot on Walsh, who subsequently missed two games for his club side Brisbane under the NRL’s 11-day stand-down protocols.

But Walsh is back in business and ran well at Queensland’s first training session in Toowoomba on Tuesday after passing a concussion test 48 hours earlier with Queensland doctors.

NSW back-row hit man Liam Martin says Blues defenders will again attempt to rough-up Walsh, but the Maroons maestro warned he won’t be gun shy if they try to target him in Game Two at the MCG on Wednesday week.

“If I had any doubts or was scared I wouldn’t pull on the Queensland jersey,” Walsh said.

“I know how much it means to the people of Queensland and past players.

“They need a team that is willing to put their body on the line and do whatever it takes for their state.

“If I was scared or shy in any way I would pull myself out.

“I feel good. Stuff happens in footy and you’ve got to adapt. I’m just glad the boys went out and worked their backsides off and got a good result (beating NSW 38-10 in Origin I).

“I am glad to be back in camp and will build my week again.”

Asked if he wants more support from NRL officials in Origin I, Walsh said: “When you get hit in the head, it shouldn’t be play on or whatever people are trying to say.

“I’ll leave that up to them.”

Queensland assistant coach Nate Myles gave Suaalii a savage spray as he left the field in Origin, saying “enjoy your f***ing debut”, a rebuke which earned the former Maroons enforcer a warning from NRL authorities.

But Walsh says he has no ill-feeling Suaalii, who could end up a Blues one-hit wonder as he prepares to quit the Roosters at season’s end and defect to Rugby Australia.

Asked if he had forgiven Suaalii, Walsh said: “That’s footy. It is what comes with the sport.

“He sent me a nice message and I sent him a nice one back, too.

“At the end of the day you want to represent with pride and do whatever you can for your team to win.

“Things happen.”

Queensland coach Billy Slater had formulated plans to unleash ‘Reece Lightning’ in Origin I.

The Maroons worked on methods to get Walsh into the game around the rucks, lurking in midfield to carve up NSW with his speed, and that plan is sure to be enacted in full force at the MCG.

Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans says Walsh won’t go into his shell and is itching to lead the Maroons to a third consecutive series victory.

Reece Walsh was wiped out of Origin 1 in Sydney. Picture: NRL Photos/Brett Costello

“He is full of beans coming into camp,” he said.

“Reece is full of energy and ready to play some footy.

“The rules are in place. He hasn’t played for two weeks which is a by-product of the rules, so he has definitely been protected by the NRL in that regard.

“Reece’s series last year was fantastic. He didn’t play in the last game but his first two games were fantastic for someone playing in his first series.

“He will be fantastic for a long time in a Queensland jumper.

“Reece would be the first to say we play a team sport and we need to make sure there is a lot going right before Reece gets the ball. He will be a big part of this team for a long time and I have no doubt he will inject himself on Wednesday night.

“This freshen up will do him the world of good for us in a Queensland jersey ... he will be ready to go.”

Walsh says there was a sense of relief to receive a phone call from Slater for Origin II.

The Broncos ace feared he was in danger of losing the Queensland No.1 jumper to centre teammate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after the ‘Hammer’ backed up his Origin I hat-trick with a sizzling 95-metre try last week against Cronulla.

“I knew I had the protocols to go through and there was a bit of persuading with Bill (Slater) to get my job back because Hammer killed it,” he said.

“That (wondering if he would be picked for Origin II) was a bit tough but I just had to tick all the boxes.

“I am grateful for Bill giving me the opportunity.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Reece Walsh says he won’t be bullied by NSW into changing his attacking mindset