- Reece Walsh says Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i is a ‘class person’
- Sua’ali’i apologised to Walsh for his high shot after Origin 3
- Walsh was flattened by the Roosters star early in Origin 1
According to Reece Walsh, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i proved to be a ‘class guy’ by seeking him out for an on-field apology after State of Origin III.
In an interview with Origin, Walsh admitted for the first time since Queensland’s series loss that he was disappointed with his own outcome to the Maroons’ campaign.
But there was a touching moment at the end of Origin III, when Sua’ali’i wanted to confront the Queensland fullback for his high shot at Sydney.
The video shows Sua’ali’i approaching Walsh and talking to his daughter, while apologising to the Maroons’ No. 1 for the shot that knocked him down in Origin 1, earning him a four-match ban.
“He’s a top class player and a top class person,” Walsh said.
‘He just came to see how I was doing and wished me all the best for the rest of the year, as I did to him.
“He’s a great guy. It’s football. You want to go out there and make your state and yourself and your family proud. Things happen.”
Sua’ali’i’s shot on Walsh brought the series to life and created a clear animosity between the two sides, which led to tensions again in Origin III.
Reece Walsh was flattened by Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i’s hit in Origin I
Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was sent off and given a four-match suspension for the incident
But the man himself said he never had any problems with Sua’ali’i.
“Everybody in the media is blowing things out of proportion. I understand that’s the job,” Walsh said.
“But at the end of the day, we are two young men who play football and want to make a difference for our team.”
Walsh declined to comment on comments from Maroons coach Billy Slater, who claimed after Origin III that the Blues had again knocked the fullback off the ball.
But he was the first to admit that he wasn’t happy with the way the series turned out for him.
The 22-year-old’s performances were publicly questioned following Queensland’s series loss, with the game’s most exciting fullback breaking the line just once in the last two games.
On Saturday night he recovered in style for his club Brisbane, breaking the goal line at every opportunity, scoring a try and risking two more in his best performance in months against Newcastle.
“I don’t read that many comments. I know my game,” Walsh said.
Walsh says Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i has shown himself to be a ‘class person’
“Of course I was a little disappointed with some things there. I just have to keep my head down, keep working hard and keep doing my best.”
Saturday’s win over Newcastle has given Brisbane hope for a new season as Adam Reynolds returns to fitness and helps unlock the Broncos’ dangerous defensive line.
Last year’s finalists will likely need to win six of their final seven games to secure a place in the top eight, with key games against Canterbury, the Dolphins, North Queensland and Melbourne coming up.
“Of course (there’s still faith). The origin period is over,” Walsh said.
“We just need to come together as a group because the Origin period is obviously quite tough. You’re in and out. You don’t see the boys that much.”