Kevin Walters wants answers from NRL as Reece Walsh facial fracture confirmed

Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has unleashed on the NRL following the tackle which left Reece Walsh with a fractured face as the match review committee defends the referee’s decision.

(L-R) Kevin Walters and Reece Walsh.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has launched a stinging attack on the NRL over the sickening incident that has left Brisbane’s superstar fullback Reece Walsh with a facial fracture.

In a dramatic aftermath to Brisbane’s 34-12 loss to Penrith on Thursday night, the NRL match-review committee opted against charging Penrith centre Taylan May over his nasty head clash with Walsh.

The high-speed incident left Walsh with blood pouring from a facial gash and he lasted just four minutes, failing to return due to blurred vision in his left eye.

The May tackle has created an inferno of debate – Panthers coach Ivan Cleary believes the clash was accidental – but Broncos mentor Walters, usually reluctant to criticise officials, lashed the NRL for failing to protect Walsh.

NRL match-review co-ordinator Luke Patten defended the decision not to charge May.

(L-R) Broncos coach Kevin Walters and star fullback Reece Walsh.

The Queensland Origin custodian has been ruled out of next week’s derby against the Cowboys and could be sidelined for up to six weeks in a bitter blow for the Broncos.

Walters fears Walsh, one of the game’s true superstars, will become a regular target if defenders are allowed to come charging out of the line at Brisbane’s No. 1 attacking player.

“It’s disappointing, I’m a bit confused about the rules with the duty of care for our players,” Walters said.

“Reece is going to miss four to six weeks.

“There was contact to the head which is duty of care.

“If the NRL is serious about concussions and protecting players, where does this sit with that?

“If this is let to go, the next time Reece Walsh comes back on the field, what are they going to do again, exactly the same thing ... ‘Sorry’.

“It was contact to the head, mate.

“Something should have happened (to May) shouldn’t it?

“We now have Reece Walsh gone for six weeks.”

Reece Walsh suffered a facial fracture after a head clash against the Panthers.

Walters vowed to take up the matter with NRL football boss Graham Annesley.

“I will speak to the right people,” he said.

“There’s a few things I’m not happy about last night, but we will speak through the right channels and go from there.

“If I speak publicly about it, it looks like I’m a sore loser which I’m certainly not, but what I am strong on is the protection of our players.

“I think our administrators have been really good, but the duty of care must be first and foremost.

“I have my opinions and the NRL won’t bother too much about what I think, it’s what they think.”

NRL match-review co-ordinator Luke Patten defended the decision not to charge May.

“The match review committee considered the incident in great detail,” he said.

“In the lead up to impact, player May plants both feet with both arms down by his side in an attempt to make a body tackle.

“He does not lead with his shoulder or head unlike other previous incidents.

“Once the ball is passed by player Walsh, both players react to the imminent contact resulting in both players leaving the ground and accidentally clashing heads.

“The MRC does not see player May rotate his shoulder or raise his arms in an attempt to go through with the tackle.

“They do not consider his actions to be either careless or reckless.”

Walsh was unable to fly due to the nature of the injury, advised by Broncos medicos to catch a private bus home for a long 10-hour haul back to Brisbane.

“Reece was taken to hospital last night after we arrived back at the team hotel and underwent a CT scan which showed a facial fracture,” Broncos high-performance chief Dave Ballard said.

“As a result, he cannot fly home and is being driven back up to Brisbane today by our staff.

“We will be able to determine how much footy Reece will miss once the injury settles down and after we consult a specialist in coming days.

“Reece’s wellbeing is our priority and ensuring he is well looked after.

“We will get him safely back to Brisbane and then move forward.”

Originally published as Kevin Walters wants answers from NRL as Reece Walsh facial fracture confirmed