‘He was certainly getting hit a fair bit’: Billy Slater accuses Blues of going after Reece Walsh in Origin decider

The Maroons have taken aim at the officials, with coach Billy Slater accusing NSW players of hitting star fullback Reece Walsh off the ball.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has accused the Blues of repeatedly hitting Reece Walsh off the ball in the State of Origin decider. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Queensland coach Billy Slater says the officials will have to review how they handled the Blues’ treatment of flashy fullback Reece Walsh who was “certainly getting hit a fair bit without the footy” during Wednesday’s game at Suncorp Stadium.

Walsh has had to deal with plenty this season having suffered a facial fracture as a result of a head clash against Penrith, while he was knocked out of the Origin opener after just seven minutes by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii who was sent off as a result of the tackle gone wrong.

There have been suggestions the Broncos star has been targeted at different stages this year, and Slater made it clear that he thought his main attacking weapon received some unfair treatment in the 14-4 loss to NSW.

The Blues went after Reece Walsh at every opportunity throughout the series. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

“I think he was certainly getting hit a fair bit without the footy,” he said.

“It is State of Origin. I know what it is like and I understand what he is going through. It is just the way it is.”

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans echoed his coach’s sentiments after the game and knew exactly what it felt like to be roughed up by the Blues.

“Billy can speak from experience. He has got a good view of what is going on at Origin level, so if he is saying something is going on, it is probably worth having a look at it,” he said.

“I have been through exactly what Reece has been through. You go through these periods where the opposition will try and come up with ways to stop you.

“Knowing the person he is, he has got the work ethic and the ability to overcome it. I have got so much belief in Reece Walsh.

“I feel like his series this year, as (his) second year in (Origin), is where you have to figure out different ways to beat an opposition.”

Walsh was in the wars on Wednesday night. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Walsh was looking worse for wear in the Maroons dressing room after the contest as he was left hobbling and covered in ice packs.

He appears to be at long odds of backing up for Brisbane in Saturday night’s clash with the Knights in Newcastle.

Darren Lockyer, one of the game’s greatest fullbacks, said Walsh had to learn to deal with being a target but the NRL had to stamp out illegal tactics.

“Niggling tactics in Origin are always going to be there,” Lockyer said.

“From Reece’s perspective, he already knows he is going to be a target so it’s just how he manages it. He just can’t let it affect his performance.

“He is still young and the mindset from NSW would have been to try and unsettle him. Reece will have to contend with that most of his career – the attention.

“It doesn’t mean the referees should allow it. They should keep an eye on it, but Reece has to know because he is so good he will get that extra attention and he will need to manage it.”