NRL grand final: Peter V’Landys’ plan to make Reece Walsh the NRL’s first global megastar

Peter V’landys has outlined his plan for Reece Walsh to be the face of rugby league and says the Broncos wonder boy is on track to become the code’s first global megastar.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has outlined his plan for Reece Walsh to be the face of rugby league and says the Broncos wonder boy is on track to become the code’s first global megastar.

‘Reece Lightning’ has struck in the Harbour City with Sydney-based league supporters swarming Broncos superstar Walsh at the NRL’s Fan Day on Thursday ahead of the Brisbane-Penrith grand final on Sunday.

Not since rugby league’s famous Simply The Best campaign 30 years ago, starring then Cronulla hunk Andrew Ettingshausen, has the code witnessed a rising star with the looks, talent and rockstar aura of Walsh.

Now the NRL is ready to rubber-stamp Walsh as the new ‘ET’ by selling the 21-year-old whizkid to 330 million Americans at next year’s historic Telstra Premiership double header in Las Vegas.

The Broncos are one of the four teams who will headline ‘Australia Week’ in Vegas and Walsh could be headed for Sin City as a premiership winner if Brisbane shock the Panthers at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Walsh was mobbed by fans at Broncos training on Monday – teenage girls wept as they screamed for hugs, autographs and selfies – and V’landys declared the NRL’s new promotional poster boy has arrived.

Reece Walsh, Broncos training, Suncorp Stadium, Milton. Picture: Liam Kidston

Reece Walsh, Broncos training, Suncorp Stadium, Milton. Picture: Liam Kidston

“If marketed right, Reece Walsh can become one of the best-known Australian sportsmen in America,” V’landys said.

“Reece is only young but he can certainly be the face of the game.

“He reminds me of Andrew Ettingshausen.

“Walsh has the looks and he has the charisma, but most importantly, he has the brilliance and it’s something other players would love to have.

“What can you say about Reece Walsh, there are people who buy tickets just to watch him and his brilliance.

“Someone like him comes along once in a generation.

“Every time he touches the ball, people stand up out of their seats.

“I haven’t seen someone like him for a very long time.

“We’re taking rugby league to Vegas next year and Reece Walsh can certainly become well known to an international audience.”

Andrew Ettingshausen is a former pin-up boy of the NRL.

Andrew Ettingshausen on Australian Survivor. Picture: Nigel Wright

They may be technically in enemy territory, but the Broncos were hardly on the nose with Sydney fans.

Brisbane quartet Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Adam Reynolds and Jordan Riki were among the favourites amid the picturesque backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, suggesting the Broncos – not polarising defending premiers Penrith – are the people’s team.

Walsh has magnetic appeal with fans and V’landys says he is a living advertisement of the Broncos’ status as the new entertainers of rugby league.

“It’s a dream come true for us as a game to see the Broncos winning again,” the ARLC boss said.

“You want the Broncos and Queensland rugby league powerful.

“For us, we couldn’t have orchestrated this any better, the rise of the Broncos is a marketing manager’s dream really.

Some of the NRL’s original pin-up boys as part of the famous Simply The Best campaign. (L-R) Allan Langer, Andrew Ettingshausen, American singer Tina Turner and Wayne Pearce. Picture: Peter Muhlbock/IBM

“The Broncos are the entertainers of the NRL.

“The reason we chose them to play in Vegas next season is they have that glamour club status, but they also play an entertaining style of football.

“If you want to promote the game in America, you have to take a team that entertains and the Broncos do just that.

“Reece Walsh is at the heart of it – he has the acceleration and football brain, he is one of those dynamic players that you simply admire.”

Walsh played down suggestions he laps up life as an NRL rockstar, but says he is increasingly relishing being a role model for young Australians.

“I just love playing footy and whatever comes off the back of it comes off the back of it,” he said.

“I can only control what I can control, that’s how I think of it.”

Asked if he is the most popular Bronco, Walsh said with a laugh: “No, it’s Patty Carrigan.

“It (the adulation) is all a bit different from where I come from (growing up in Nerang on the Gold Coast).

“My name wasn’t getting called too much when I was younger in the right ways, so it is pretty pleasing and I am honoured to hear the kids calling my name and looking up to someone like me.

“It’s pretty cool to see the position I’m in. It’s pretty crazy getting this attention, but this club and the people in our four walls, we all keep each other accountable, myself included.

“The Broncos make it easier for me to focus on footy and try and be the best footballer I can be. I am pleased to now be in a fortunate spot where I can be that light for kids.”

Originally published as NRL grand final: Peter V’Landys’ plan to make Reece Walsh the NRL’s first global megastar