‘Fragile masculinity’: Detail in Reece Walsh photo sparks frenzy

NRL fans have been swiftly slapped down after a detail in photos of Broncos superstar Reece Walsh sparked a strong response.

Reece Walsh wearing nail polish.

Reece Walsh is proving he is every bit a Gen Z sporting icon as he makes the leap to rugby league superstardom.

Walsh, 21, is set to return earlier than expected from a facial fracture for the Broncos against local rivals the Dolphins on Friday night.

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By all reports the fullback has been on top of his recovery after he suffered the nasty injury when he was clobbered by Penrith’s Taylan May last month.

Walsh has been wearing pink headgear at training and fans have spotted he has taken to wearing nail polish on his fingers in recent times.

On Monday he shared a photo while he was out getting lunch with Broncos teammate Ezra Mam, with his fingernails visibly painted black.

The happy snap was shared to a fan forum on social media, with the caption: “Reece Walsh of painted fingernails fame … only in QLD” and a face palm emoji.

Reece Walsh at Broncos training. Picture: Liam Kidston

Reece Walsh shows off his painted nails. Photo: Instagram.

The fan was immediately shut down by a slew of comments supporting Walsh for wearing nail polish.

Walsh has also shared photos of his two-year-old daughter Leila painting their nails together.

“Could be cause he has young daughter? Play on if your little one wants your nails painted,” one fan replied.

A second said: “I don’t see an issue other than needing some infills bra (shoutout my missus for the knowledge). You can be masculine and still do sh*t like this FYI.”

A third added: “Only in queensland (do dads learn to appreciate and foster creativity in their daughters).”

“Fragile masculinity lol. It’s just nail polish brah,” one person said.

Another joked: “Maybe if NSW started painting their nails they’d actually win for once.”

A photo of Carlton player Jordan Boyd’s multi-coloured nail polish sparked a divided reaction from fans after the Blues lost to Brisbane in last year’s AFL preliminary final.

A bit of nail polish never hurt anyone. Photo: Instagram.

Reece Walsh with his daughter Leila. Photo: Instagram.

Walsh was expected to miss 4-6 weeks after he suffered a facial fracture against Penrith in Round 3, but he could be back for the blockbuster derby against the Dolphins much earlier than expected after completing training in pink headgear.

It’s a timely boost for the Broncos who have won two of their opening five matches and now face the ladder-leading Dolphins who are flying under Wayne Bennett but could be without former Brisbane pair Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler after they picked up AC joint injuries in the win over the Wests Tigers.

Walsh is set to return early from injury. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“He’s done everything right to be back with the team,” centre Kotoni Staggs said.

“All of his rehab went well, and it’s good to have him back out on the park doing what he does best. It’s a big boost for us, and hopefully come Friday night, he can do a job.

“One thing he’s picked up is the way that he goes about his injuries. He got on top of everything and he’s back earlier than expected. That’s just from him doing all the hard yards that people don’t see behind our walls.”

While Walsh is expected to return, the Broncos will be without halfback Adam Reynolds after he injured his hamstring against the Storm and didn’t return for the second half.

Jock Madden is tipped to replace him in the No. 7 jersey, while Staggs is confident five-eighth Ezra Mam will play after he limped off training with a cork.

“Jock’s been there before and he’s done the job for us,” Staggs said, with veteran Corey Oates set to be named on the wing in place of Deine Mariner who suffered a small fracture in his back which will keep him out for up to a month.

“It’s next man up. Jock’s been thrown in the deep end for a couple of games in the past, and he knows all the plays. It’s not going to be any difference there.”

With NCA Newswire

Originally published as ‘Fragile masculinity’: Detail in Reece Walsh photo sparks frenzy