Reece Walsh believes Billy Slater made the right call not picking him to play Queensland fullback in this year’s State of Origin series, admitting he has “not been living up to the standards” needed to play the biggest contest in rugby league recently.
Many were shocked when Walsh was ignored for Game One in New South Wales, though Kalyn Ponga taking the No.1 role for the Maroons made complete sense given form.
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Suggestions were that Slater should have taken Walsh in the 20-man squad; those pre-match calls were then proven correct when Ponga was sent off for a head-high hit on Tolu Koula just over 20 minutes before the end of the opener.
But Walsh is standing with Billy – and says he shouldn’t be in the squad on current form.
“Obviously, as a young Queenslander, all you want to do is grow up and play for Queensland. To not be named and get that call, I was disappointed,” he said today.
“But I know the standards it takes to play for Queensland, and I’m a realist, and I’m honest with myself, and I probably haven’t been living up to those standards it takes to wear that Queensland jersey, so I feel like that’s what makes it so great.
“Once you put that jersey on, you know what it takes to get back there. I understand that I haven’t been upholding those standards.
“It’s about putting the hard work here at training and relaying that back on the field.”
Walsh also disagreed with comments claiming he’s down on confidence because of the facial fracture he suffered earlier in the year. “I wouldn’t say it’s confidence. It was sore at times, but I’ve had the injury before, and I understand it and can push through it,” he said.
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“I’ve just got to go and do my job and make sure I’m doing it for the best of the team. That’s something I’ll keep working on, and put my best foot forward.”
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Walsh now has one more audition game to play before Game Two teams are chosen: A Queensland derby, with the Broncos hosting the Titans on Saturday. If the teams were chosen today, Walsh would likely miss out again – but he has time.
Slater will choose the next Queensland squad on Sunday, June 7.
