NRL 2023: Broncos to unleash star recruit Reece Walsh, Tesi Niu future in doubt

Reece Walsh’s return to Brisbane has created a backline squeeze. Now Kevin Walters has revealed his plans for the odd man out and whether he’ll be leaving the Broncos.

Reece Walsh has left the Warriors to return to the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

Broncos coach Kevin Walters insists Dolphins target Tesi Niu has a future at Brisbane after declaring the No. 1 jersey was up for grabs despite the arrival of Reece Walsh.

Niu has been linked with an immediate transfer to the NRL’s newest club at Redcliffe following Walsh’s return to Red Hill after two seasons with the Warriors.

Walsh, 20, is regarded as the hot favourite to secure Brisbane’s fullback duties next year after Niu struggled to make the position his own last season.

That has prompted speculation Niu is headed for the exits at Red Hill, with a move to the Dolphins for their foundation season next year appearing his most likely destination.

But Walters hasn’t given up on Niu – who played fullback for Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup before they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Samoa.

Walters said he wanted Niu, a 32-game Broncos representative, to remain at the club.

“That’s not something we want to happen,” he said when asked if Niu would be departing.

“We’ve got a lot of faith and belief in Tesi.

“He had a good season under some trying circumstances with his personal life. I thought he played some really good football at different stages.

“Tesi is finished with the World Cup now and will get back to Australia and in here. We will start putting the work into him to be a fullback for us.

The Broncos insist Tesi Nui has a future at the club.

“It’s good to have good options and Reece certainly hasn’t got a mortgage on the number one jersey. It’ll be a dogfight through the pre-season and into the season as to who gets the jersey.”

Niu was a highly-rated junior for the Broncos but has struggled to produce consistent form in the NRL arena since debuting in 2020.

He was susceptible under the highball last season and has showed timidness in a position which requires authority, particularly when organising defences.

Niu showed some spark with a few solid performances where his running game was hard to handle.

Former Broncos fullback Darius Boyd is set to mentor Niu if he remains at the club and Walters said he had been given no indication Niu wanted a release.

“We haven’t heard anything from Tesi at this stage,” he said.

“We expect there to be a lot of competition for spots next year. That’s what strong clubs provide, good competition among the players.

“We’ve got Tesi and Reece going for the fullback spot and Herbie (Farnworth) has an eye on it as well. Then we’ve got Selwyn Cobbo, who I believe long-term will be a great fullback.

“We’ve got good competition for spots, which is what we need to keep the competitive spirit among the playing group.”

BRONCOS READY TO THROW WALSH TO PANTHERS

The Broncos are primed to unleash star recruit Reece Walsh on Penrith as Brisbane brace for a daunting first-round assignment against the reigning NRL premiers.

Queensland Origin hopeful Walsh was Brisbane’s headline act on Tuesday with the marquee import joining more than 20 other Broncos for the club’s first official training session for the 2023 pre-season.

And Walsh is set to begin his Broncos NRL career with a bang, facing a thrilling fullback duel with Penrith’s Clive Churchill Medallist Dylan Edwards in Brisbane’s 2023 premiership opener.

The NRL will release their full 2023 premiership draw on Thursday and Brisbane’s season opener is a blockbuster against the defending premiers at Penrith’s Bluebet Stadium on Friday, March 3.

Walsh is the frontrunner to clinch the coveted fullback spot and Broncos coach Kevin Walters is banking on his attacking flair to kickstart Brisbane’s finals revenge mission next year.

“That’ll be good, it’s a good way to start the year,” Walters said.

Reece Walsh is set to begin his Broncos NRL career with a bang.

“You find out where you are straight up, that’s for sure.

“Penrith have been a very good side for a long time now and are back-to-back premiers, but we’ve given ourselves a pretty good account against them since I’ve been here.

“They’re all tough games. You’ve got to play the Panthers at some stage so you may as well get them early and see where they’re at.”

Having come through Brisbane’s development system before joining the Warriors last year, Walsh looked fit and ready to fire as he returned to familiar terrain at Red Hill on Tuesday.

After completing some internal testing in the Broncos’ gym on Monday, Walsh was among several top-liners who completed a field session on Tuesday at Red Hill.

Other NRL players to report for day one of pre-season included Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam and Tigers recruit Jock Madden, while Max Plath, the son of Broncos utility John, and Tristan Sailor, the son of wing great Wendell, also featured.

After playing 38 NRL games for the Warriors over the past two seasons, Walsh returns to Red Hill as Brisbane’s premier 2023 recruit.

Walters said he had spoken to his star signing at length about the Broncos furnace and is backing Walsh to take the next step of his career in Brisbane.

“We’ve had a really good chat and he understands (what it’s like at the Broncos),” he said.

Reece Walsh returns to Red Hill as Brisbane’s premier 2023 recruit. Picture: Getty Images

“He came through the Academy system here and was with the senior group for a short period. He knows the Broncos are a big club.

“There’s no expectation on Reece apart from him to be the player we all know he can be.

“He’s got a lot of maturing to do, he’s still only 20. He has a lot to learn about the game but has good skills and a really good character to develop into a really good fullback.

“We’ve only been here a couple of days but he’s very energetic. He’s a noisy young fella and you need to be in those positions.

“His heart and head is here, which is good signs for us. We’re not expecting miracles from Reece, we just want him to continue to develop as a player.”

Madden played against Walsh last season and believes the Keebra Park product can be Brisbane’s X-factor in 2023 as they chase finals redemption after their top-eight capitulation to finish ninth in 2022.

“You saw what he did the last couple of years for the Warriors,” Madden said.

“He is young as well. What he did on the field … he is quite a freak. To be able to play with him will be quite cool.

“He is fast, skilful and just a natural footballer. If you get the ball in his hands he is very dangerous.

“He can definitely (be a weapon). He is a very dangerous player. Put him in a side with (Kotoni) Staggs and Selwyn and let him do his stuff.”

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REYNO RESCUE: BRONCOS RECRUIT READY TO USURP MAM

New Broncos recruit Jock Madden has outlined his plan to partner skipper Adam Reynolds as Brisbane search for the scrumbase combination to break their 17-year premiership drought.

Former Wests Tigers playmaker Madden is the fresh face representing the winds of change sweeping through a Broncos club that will begin a new chapter when they kick off their 2023 pre-season on Tuesday.

Madden and fellow import Reece Walsh are Brisbane’s two major off-season purchases as coach Kevin Walters looks to add depth to his playmaking spine following last season’s stunning top-eight collapse.

And Madden is ready to make an instant impact at Red Hill, with the promising 22-year-old so impressed by the Broncos set-up he knocked back a chance to be Nathan Cleary’s understudy at premiers Penrith.

Broncos recruit Jock Madden wants to team up in the halves with Adam Reynolds in 2023. Picture: Getty Images.

Young gun pivot Ezra Mam is the frontrunner to partner Reynolds after winning Brisbane’s rookie-of-the-year award, but Madden is backing himself to clinch the No.6 jumper and help engineer a Broncos finals fightback.

“My goal is to come here and play first grade,” said Madden, who will launch his Broncos career on Tuesday.

“The Broncos have good halves in Reynolds and Ezra Mam, but I think I can learn a lot from the club’s past playmakers such as ‘Kevvie’ (Walters), Allan Langer, Ben Ikin and Darren Lockyer.

“Those four guys all played in the halves and are still around the club and if I can go to the Broncos and learn as much as I can from those guys, it will be massive for my game.

“I didn’t sign with the Broncos just to be a back up and play Queensland Cup.

“I have come here to play first grade and I’d love to be in the starting side week in, week out.

“To do that, I know I have to work hard, so I am keen to rip in this pre-season and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.”

Ezra Mam is the front runner to be the starting five-eighth in 2023, but is no certainty after being axed toward the end of the 2022 season. Picture: Getty Images.

Madden underlined his class last season by terrorising the Broncos.

He scored a try and set up another to spearhead Wests Tigers’ stirring 32-18 upset of the Broncos in round 20 at Suncorp Stadium, an upset that kickstarted Brisbane’s shocking form slump to miss the finals.

Madden played 17 games for the Tigers since his 2021 NRL debut and comes to Brisbane with a decorated junior resume, having captained an Australian Schoolboys side in 2018 that contained Tom Dearden, Stephen Crichton and new Broncos teammate Tesi Niu.

The Newcastle product has good vision and a pinpoint kicking game and while the Panthers were keen, he relished the prospect of being mentored by Reynolds.

Madden says the opportunity to learn from the likes of Adam Reynolds and Alfie Langer will help him continue to develop his game. Picture: Getty Images.

“The Broncos are such a massive club, it’s had so much success and Adam Reynolds has done everything in the game,” Madden said.

“To learn from him is going to help my game and I can’t wait to pick the brain of a legend like ‘Alfie’ Langer.

“Reyno’s leadership is one asset, but he has such a great kicking game.

“He just looks like a winner. Everywhere he goes, he gets results. At Souths, he got them to a premiership and he had a great first season with the Broncos.

“I played both five-eighth and halfback at the Tigers.

“Preferably, halfback is my position and after ‘Reyno’ (retires), who knows what can happen, so I will be doing my best to impress.”

Madden’s manager Chris Orr confirmed the Panthers were keen to sign the rising playmaker.

“Jock is an extremely talented kid,” said Orr of PSM. “He had an option to join the premiers but after meeting with Kevin Walters, he felt the Broncos were the right fit.”

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Originally published as NRL 2023: Broncos to unleash star recruit Reece Walsh, Tesi Niu future in doubt