Why interstate rivals Michael Maguire and Billy Slater hold key to unlocking Reece Walsh’s full potential

Michael Maguire and Billy Slater were fierce interstate rivals this year but they may need to work together for the sake of Reece Walsh and the Broncos in 2025.

Michael Maguire picked Billy Slater’s pocket in the State of Origin series but now the pressure is on both of them to work in unison to bring out the best in Reece Walsh.

Dynamic fullback Walsh was the centre of a secret tug of war last season where his club coach Kevin Walters and Queensland coach Slater wanted him to play in different ways.

They had contrasting views on where he should stand in the defensive line and even whether he should make occasional appearances at dummy half.

At one point a meeting was organised between Walsh’s club and State mentors to try and settle on a common theme.

There is every chance the remarkable Kalyn Ponga may snatch the number one jersey off Walsh next season but Walsh won’t be far away and is likely to have a long representative career.

Which brings us back to new Broncos coach Maguire and Slater.

Billy Slater (R) and Michael Maguire (L) traded veiled barbs during this year’s State of Origin series. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

This year they were epic State of Origin rivals and there was a school of thought that NSW coach Maguire ruffled Slater’s composure with a mid-series taunt about Slater’s disciplinary record when he was a player.

But hopefully for Walsh they will be in lockstep in their views of what makes a modern fullback, even though there will obviously be some changes in the role from one team to the other.

Maguire has one key advantage over former coach Walters in managing Walsh - the comfort of knowing no matter what the success of his plans, Walsh cannot leave the club.

Given Walsh’s remarkable popularity, Walters must have been walking on eggshells at times this year as the Broncos tried to re-sign their glamour boy before he hit the open market.

Maguire does not have that stress with Walsh committing to a new four-year deal.

TWO GOOD MEN

Kevin Walters and Allan Langer won plenty of plaudits during their player careers but perhaps the greatest compliment to their fundamental decency has just arrived.

During a recent interview with News Corp’s Dean Ritchie, Ian Roberts, still rugby league’s only openly gay player, spoke about how difficult it was for him to have his partner Shane Goodwin on the 1994 Kangaroo tour of England.

Some players were more accepting than others and he singled out Walters and Langer for special praise.

“There were two guys on that tour I wanted to wrap – ‘Alf’ (Allan Langer) and ‘Kev’ (Kevin Walters),’’ Roberts said.

“They embraced Shane and made him feel welcome. They went out of their way to make him feel comfortable. I love you, Kevvie, I love you, Alf.”

Ian Roberts (far left) gave an insight into the character of Allan Langer (far right).

People who know Walters and Langer will not be surprised by this compliment because one of the most endearing traits of the Ipswich boys during their illustrious career was that they embraced people for who they were.

Often they would take the rise out of the teammates they liked most as a sign of endearment.

I did not cover that tour but, through journalists who did, I well remember the behind-the-hands whispers about Roberts and his partner which could only have made life awkward and humiliating for both of them.

The strength of Roberts quotes spotlights the depth of appreciation he felt to Langer and Walters in a story which illustrates why so many players regarded Walters and Langer among their favourite teammates.

Originally published as Why interstate rivals Michael Maguire and Billy Slater hold key to unlocking Reece Walsh’s full potential