Reece Walsh could miss Origin III after being charged with referee abuse

A denial via social media didn’t stop the NRL sending Reece Walsh straight to the judiciary after an ugly incident on Sunday.

Reece Walsh has been referred to the judiciary for allegedly abusing referee Chris Butler. Picture: NRL Imagery

Star Queensland fullback Reece Walsh could miss the State of Origin series final after being referred straight to the judiciary for allegedly abusing a referee in Sunday‘s loss to the Titans.

Walsh took to social media to deny calling referee Chris Butler a c--t in the Brisbane Broncos’ 18-12 defeat at Suncorp Stadium in a fiery final few minutes after he was penalised.

Adamant he was talking to an opposition player, Walsh replied to Fox Sports’ social media account on Sunday night to deny swearing at Butler,

“I was not talking too (sic) the ref, I clearly say that!!” Walsh wrote.

“Can also see Patty (Carrigan) come over and talk too (sic) me!!”

Broncos skipper Reynolds backed his fullback too on the same post.

“Show the full clip,” Reynolds wrote.

Reece Walsh disputes a call by the referee. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Was talking to a player on the other team.”

Even a two-match suspension would rule Walsh out of the third Origin game, with Queensland going for a clean sweep.

The Broncos play the Dolphins this week, then have a bye, and Walsh’s next game would be the Origin finale in Sydney.

Walsh also came under scrutiny from the NRL judiciary following Queensland’s win in game 2 when he was sent off for headbutting NSW rival Jarome Luai.

He was fined 23 per cent of his Origin match fee for that incident.

In other judiciary news, South Sydney’s Jacob Host was given a three-match ban for a shoulder charge on North Queensland’s Tom Dearden during their Sunday clash in Sydney.