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 coach Laurie Daley has made the big call to drop Haumole Olakau’atu from his side altogether, with a starting back-row spot given to Newcastle Knights debutant Dylan Lucas.
Mitchell Moses (hamstring and calf) and Payne Haas (knee) return from injury to start, so Ethan Strange and Addin Fonua-Blake move to the bench.
Casey McLean has replaced Stephen Crichton (shoulder) at centre while Api Koroisau and Mark Nawaqanitawase come in as substitutes. Blayke Brailey (broken arm), Jacob Saifiti and Matt Burton drop out.
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: 1 James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), 2 Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), 3 Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers), 4 Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), 5 Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), 6 Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), 7 Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), 8 Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), 9 Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters), 10 Mitchell Barnett (New Zealand Warriors), 11 Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders), 12 Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights), 13 Isaah Yeo (C) (Penrith Panthers). Subs: 14 Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 15 Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), 16 Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks), 17 Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers), 18 Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders), 19 Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters). Reserve: 20 Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles)