- Reece Walsh has moved on from the drama of Origin game one
- The Queensland star suffered concussion after a sickening late tackle
- NSW center Joseph Sua’ali’i has since apologized for the punch
Reece Walsh has vowed he will not be shy with weapons in game two of the State of Origin series – and revealed he has forgiven Joseph Sua’ali’i for the high shot that rubbed him out of game one.
The Maroons fullback was treated like a rock star by fans in Toowoomba on Tuesday as he trained strongly ahead of Wednesday’s clash with NSW at the MCG.
Walsh, 21, was concussed in the seventh minute of Queensland’s 38-10 win in Sydney after a high shot from Suaalii, which was sent off by referee Ashley Klein.
Speaking for the first time about the incident, Walsh said he holds no grudge against the Blues centre, who was suspended for four weeks.
‘That’s football. That’s part of the sport,” Walsh said.
Queensland Origin star Reece Walsh has revealed he has forgiven Joseph Sua’ali’i for the high shot that wiped him out of game one on June 5 (pictured)
Sua’ali’i was sent off by referee Ashley Klein (pictured) in the eighth minute of the Origin opener – he is also currently serving a four-match ban
Speaking at a Queensland training session and fan day in Toowoomba, Walsh confirmed Sua’ali’i reached out to apologize after the incident
‘He sent me a nice message and I also sent him a nice message back. Ultimately, you want to represent your state with pride and do everything you can for your team.
‘Things happen.’
Walsh plays with a daring and brash style and with a lot of toughness. He said this would not change in game two on June 26.
“If I had any doubts or fears I wouldn’t put on the Queensland jersey,” Walsh said.
“I know how much it means to Queenslanders and former players. They need a team that is willing to put their bodies on the line and do anything for their state. If I was scared or shy in any way, I would pull myself out of it.”
Walsh missed two NRL matches for Brisbane due to the mandatory 11-day suspension due to concussion, but said he was now feeling fine.
He was just happy that Billy Slater chose him at fullback again after Maroons center Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moved to No. 1 in Sydney and scored a hat-trick.
“I knew I had to go through the protocols and there was a bit of persuasion with Bill to get my job back because Hammer was destroying it,” Walsh said.
‘That was a bit tricky, but I just had to tick all the boxes. I am grateful that Bill gave me this opportunity.”
Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow, who return to center stage in Melbourne, plan to attack together in what threatens to be a deadly combination as Slater’s men look to wrap up the series.
“Hammer is phenomenal with what he brings to a footy team,” Walsh said.
‘You can’t coach speed and it’s difficult to go against speed. I’m just happy that he’s on my team and that I can use his skills and support him. I know he’ll do the same for me.’