Reece Walsh stars as Brisbane Broncos win 26-12 over New Zealand Warriors
Broncos superstar Reece Walsh has sent a timely reminder to Maroons coach Billy Slater on the eve of Origin III, reigniting Brisbane’s top-four hopes in a statement win over the Warriors.
Reece Walsh fired a timely Origin message to the Maroons as the Broncos superstar reignited Brisbane’s top-four hopes with a gutsy 26-12 win over the Warriors on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
Before 43,424, Walsh reminded former club the Warriors of his class, propelling Brisbane to three consecutive wins and rocketing into the frame for a stunning Maroons recall for the Origin decider.
With Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga (foot) ruled out of Origin III, Walsh had a glorious chance to send a statement to Queensland coach Billy Slater and he did just that with a slick role in a Warriors disposal.
Brisbane’s Big Three of Walsh, Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam all posted try assists as the reborn Broncos charged to an 18-0 half-time lead.
The hosts had some nervous moments after the break when the Warriors whittled the deficit to 20-12, but Gehamat Shibasaki’s second try four minutes from time put the sloppy Warriors to bed.
To compound the visitors’ plight, halfback Luke Metcalf suffered a suspected ACL tear, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad injured his knee.
TOP FOUR FIGHTBACK
Seemingly in crisis a month ago, the Broncos have woken from their early-season siesta and charged into the top-four race.
Trailing the fourth-placed Warriors by six competition points, this was a massive win for the Broncos. They weren’t perfect, but they have more gears and are now within striking distance of the top four.
If they beat equal ladder leaders the Bulldogs next Friday night in Sydney, Brisbane will suddenly put a stake in the ground as a legitimate premiership threat.
“The boys have built some belief and that’s a credit to our leaders,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
“The first half from a defensive point of view was one of our best.
“The last few weeks I have seen the players lean into what we are trying to achieve.”
For once, Brisbane didn’t have to rely on Payne Haas in midfield. While the superstar prop was largely well contained (109m), young gun Xavier Willison stole the spotlight with a barnstorming 131-metre demolition job off the bench.
REECE’S ORIGIN RECALL
Is ‘Reece Lightning’ ready for an Origin decider?
You bet he is.
Slater will choose between Walsh or Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the Origin decider and the Broncos fullback had some sublime touches, including a clever short-side rush to put Shibasaki over seconds before half-time for 18-0.
Slater is a huge fan of Walsh but the Maroons coach must decide whether to take a punt on the Broncos star’s injured knee. Walsh moved more freely and would relish a return to the Origin stage.
RAKE ROYAL RUMBLE
Three into two won’t go and Maguire has to decide whether to drop Cory Paix or Billy Walters if Ben Hunt is cleared for next week’s Bulldogs clash.
By rights, neither man deserves to play reserve grade.
On Saturday’s evidence, Paix should dodge the bullet ... just. Walters was good, but Paix can complement Hunt nicely off the bench with his reliability around the rucks.
UNSUNG HEROES
Selwyn Cobbo’s impending move to the Dolphins has opened the door for Josiah Karapani and Gehamat Shibasaki to forge a slick threequarter pairing.
They don’t command rockstar attention and perhaps that’s a good thing. Their unheralded left-side alliance outside pivot Ezra Mam was brilliant.
Karapani (125m) has been a revelation since replacing Cobbo, picking up his fifth try in three games and complementing energetic running with a crunching eighth-minute trysaving tackle on opposite Edward Kosi.
Rugged centre Shibasaki (132m) capped a fine game with a try either side of half-time as he monstered the Warriors with nine tackle busts.
Skipper Reynolds is adamant the Broncos have the quality to be a top-four team.
“I have felt that since day one,” he said. “I know the capabilities and belief we have in this team.”
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