Walsh answers Maroons SOS as Slater reveals changes to save the series

Reece Walsh has been issued a stunning State of Origin SOS, and now looms as the Queensland Maroons’ not-so-secret weapon to keep the series alive.

The Broncos fullback has been named on coach Billy Slater’s six-man bench for the June 17 clash in Melbourne, replacing club teammate Ezra Mam as he seeks to rediscover the spark that garnered him last year’s Clive Churchill Medal.

While there are no guarantees he will get on the field, named in jersey 18, the 23-year-old could be a late-game X-factor for Slater to call on should Queensland be on the hunt for points. His absence in game one was highlighted when starting No.1 Kalyn Ponga was sent off for high shoulder contact on Tolu Koula.

Slater would not outline what had changed in Walsh’s game to earn him a recall but hinted the Broncos star wasn’t picked purely as fullback cover and had the capacity to jump into multiple playmaking roles.

“In short, yes, we do have options there,” Slater said, when asked if Walsh could be deployed out of position.

“I’ll keep all that stuff in-house.

I’ve got a great relationship with Reece that goes back to when he debuted for the Warriors, and he’s built a really good game. If needed, I’m sure he’ll go out there and perform that.

“We all know what Reece is capable of doing, and now we’ve got 10 days to go after our best footy and help our players be at their best.”

Walsh is yet to repeat the heights he reached en route to the 2025 premiership with Brisbane, when he produced a run of such clinical displays he earned a maiden Kangaroos call-up and established himself as rugby league’s poster boy.

His omission from Slater’s game one side captured attention, however his patchy NRL form has coincided with the Broncos’ slide down the ladder on the back of five-straight defeats. Walsh himself conceded his exploits had not warranted a call-up.

Those losses included their past two against the cellar-dwelling Dragons and Titans, with Walsh impressing with the ball at times in the latter – running for 254 metres and 10 tackle busts – but failing to cover a runaway Phillip Sami before being beaten to a contest by Gold Coast rival Keano Kini in scoring the match-winner.

He was also seen caught in an animated argument with teammate Jack Gosiewski, and while there were suggestions throughout Saturday’s 28-23 capitulation he had sustained a cork in his buttock; however, Brisbane coach Michael Maguire insisted his marquee man was fine.

“If you look at all teams that are rolling around our competition, there are people having strong conversations when you’re out there because it happens fast and quick,” Maguire said.

“They’re men having a conversation there that they care about. He’s fine to get up and about, there are a lot of moments in the games where he’s coming up with some pretty spectacular plays, so what do you call off?”

Slater said there were no injury concerns for Walsh to his knowledge.

In other Queensland changes, Cronulla edge forward Briton Nikora has been called into the starting team with Dolphins wrecking ball Kulikefu Finefeuiaki set to make his debut off the bench.

Finefeuiaki was named as 20th man for game one on the back of what has been a breakout 2026 campaign, in which he sits fifth in the competition for post-contact metres (825). His opportunity comes following revelations Pat Carrigan would be sidelined for six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a syndesmosis injury.

“He’s been jumping out of the screen all year, to be honest,” Slater said.

“He’s been playing the standard of footy that is acceptable for this footy team for a long period of time, and now he gets that opportunity.

“He runs pretty hard, it’s a big strength of his game – I like his consistency with his carries, and I think the big development and improvement in his game has been his defence.”

Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi comes onto the bench in place of the injured Gehamat Shibasaki (knee), having had his selection chances hindered for the series launch after missing four weeks to manage a concussion.

Reuben Cotter shifts from the back row to lock, with Max Plath reverting to jersey No.14, while Heilum Luki is the new reserve.

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