QUEENSLAND have recalled Reece Walsh for the second State of Origin game – but the Brisbane Broncos star will only begin on the bench.
Walsh was key in Brisbane’s NRL title triumph last season and then lit up Australia’s Ashes series whitewash of England.
But he was left out for this year’s Origin opener in favour of Newcastle Knights’ Kalyn Ponga, whose dismissal for a high tackle was a turning point in the Maroons’ 22-20 defeat at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Coach Billy Slater has stuck with Ponga as his number one for the second game against New South Wales on Wednesday week (June 17), on neutral territory at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Walsh will instead by a wildcard on the six-man bench, of which four players can be introduced during the game.
If the 23-year-old comes on, it will be his first Origin appearance since 2024, after missing the first two matches last year through injury and being selected as 18th man for the decider, which Queensland won.
He’s yet to score a try in five games for the Maroons and was sent off in the second game of the 2023 series after clashing with Jarome Luai.
Slater was coy on how he might deploy Walsh as he bids to turn around a 1-0 series deficit.
“We just think it’s the best thing for the footy team,” Slater said in explanation of his recall.
“We all know what Reece is capable of doing, and now we’ve got ten days to go after our best footy and help our players be at their best.
“He’s built a really good game and, if needed, I’m sure he’ll go out there and perform that.”
Slater has dropped Ezra Mam, an unused sub last time out, while Patrick Carrigan (ankle) and Gehamat Shibasaki (knee) are unavailable through injury.
Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki could make his Queensland debut after being named among the interchanges, Briton Nikora is promoted to the starting line-up for Max Plath and Murray Taulagi comes onto the bench.
New South Wales have only named a 21-man squad for now, which includes stand-off Mitchell Moses despite fears over a calf strain which saw him sit out Parramatta Eels’ game with Canterbury Bulldogs on Monday.
Moses missed the Origin opener with a hamstring injury and has been given until Thursday to prove his fitness to coach Laurie Daley before a decision is made on whether to play him or retain Ethan Strange, while Isaiya Katoa has also been called up in that position.
Daley, who has star prop Payne Haas back from a knee injury and hooker Api Koroisau in for Blayke Brailey (broken arm), will also watch Penrith Panthers centre Casey McLean, who has ankle issue.
Queensland: 1 Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights), 2 Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins), 3 Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters), 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), 5 Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), 6 Cameron Munster (C) (Melbourne Storm), 7 Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters), 8 Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), 9 Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), 11 Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks), 12 Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors), 13 Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys). Subs: 14 Max Plath (Dolphins), 15 Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), 17 Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm), 18 Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), 19 Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys). Reserve: 20 Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys)
New South Wales: Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs), Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks), Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Toluta’u Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights), Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Isaah Yeo (C) (Penrith Panthers), Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)