‘Class human being’: Reece Walsh sheds light on unseen Joseph Sua’ali'i moment

The rugby league world could forgive Reece Walsh for holding a grudge against the rugby-bound Joseph Sua’ali'i after his Origin 1 KO.

Reece Walsh has revealed what was said in a private moment between the Maroons superstar and the man who knocked him out in Origin Game 1 Joseph Sua’ali'i.

Sua’ali'i's dream debut turned into a nightmare just seven minutes into the 2024 State of Origin series when he laid out Walsh in a hit gone wrong.

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It saw the 20-year-old become just the sixth player in Origin history to be sent off in what will be his only minutes in the format before he heads to rugby union from next season.

Walsh was also wiped out of the match with concussion as the Maroons went on to win the match 38-10 at Accor Stadium.

Although the Blues came back to claim the series, Sua’ali'i wasn’t involved in the final two games, suspended for four games for the hit and not being selected for the decider.

But Sua’ali'i was in Origin camp and was part of the Blues’ extended squad.

So although he didn’t play, Sua’ali'i was still kitted up, seen dressed in the shorts and socks and his boots as well as a Blues jumper — it wasn’t clear if he had the jersey on as well.

At full-time in Origin Game 3 after the Blues’ 14-4 win, Sua’ali'i and Walsh met up in a video shared by the NRL on Instagram.

Walsh was walking with his daughter Leila when he ran into Sua’ali'i with the pair sharing a hug and a few words on field.

Although you couldn’t hear the conversation, Sua’ali'i was seen waving to Leila before hugging Walsh a second time and walking off.

It’s since gone viral with over 130,000 views.

Speaking after the Broncos’ win over the Knights in Saturday night, Walsh revealed what the pair had spoken about.

“He’s a class player and a class human being,” Walsh said.

“He just came in to see how I was doing and wished me all the best for the rest of the year. As I did to him.

“He is an awesome bloke. It’s footy. You want to go out and do your state proud and do yourself and your family proud. Things happen.”

The incident became a flashpoint for the series with coach Billy Slater saying the incident was “not a good look”.

He later tried to say he hadn’t spoken on the issue.

The incident also gave NSW coach Michael Maguire some media ammunition, as he called out the Maroons mentor with a “glass houses” sledge.

But Walsh had seemingly brushed the issue off, admitting the incident was something that happened on the footy field.

“Like I said earlier, that’s footy, and you go out there and you want to do your state proud,” Walsh said. “You want to do yourself proud, and your family, and things happen.

“I think you journos and everyone in the media is blowing stuff up.

“I understand that’s your job but at the end of the day, we’re two young men going out there and playing footy, wanting to make an impact for our teams, and things happen.

“It was a good moment.”

It was a send off every day of the week. Photo: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

Brutal scenes for Sua’ali'i. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Sua’ali'i also went on an apology tour after the hit, taking to Instagram first before fronting the media.

Sua’ali'i said he was “disappointed at letting my family, my state and my teammates (down)”.

“I didn’t mean that at all, I just went there to go and tackle (Walsh),” Sua’ali'i continued.

“I accidentally clipped his head and I hope he is doing all right.

“I haven’t reached out to him yet but it’s something I’ll do.”

And now it’s all water under the bridge.

Originally published as ‘Class human being’: Reece Walsh sheds light on unseen Joseph Sua’ali'i moment