Superstar fullback Reece Walsh sent Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater an emphatic message in his bid to earn selection for game two, starring for the Broncos in a 44-14 demolition of the Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
And in an indication of the embarrassment of riches NSW has with its centre stocks, Broncos weapon Kotoni Staggs was arguably the best on the park.
The Broncos snapped a four-game losing streak on Saturday night to mark the 300th NRL game of halfback Adam Reynolds in fitting fashion.
In his return from a five-game break due to a knee injury, Walsh bagged a late double to go with 161 run metres, one line break, a line break assist and five kicks for 152 metres.
On the back of a scrum in the 74th minute, he sliced through the Titans’ defence with a wicked left-foot step and another step back in the other direction to cross for his first try.
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Reece Walsh celebrates scoring a try against the Titans. Getty
“Gee, we have some brilliant movers in our game, but none better than Walsh when he unloads that violent step,” Greg Alexander said on the Fox League broadcast.
“There are not many players in the game that can provide a moment like that,” added co-commentator Michael Ennis. “He’s an absolute star, Walsh.”
Only two minutes later, he dotted down again when he loomed up in support of Staggs and raced away.
Staggs scored a try, set up another, and chalked up 176 run metres, six tackle breaks and two line breaks.
Three Broncos players bagged doubles in Walsh, Gehamat Shibasaki and Josiah Karapani.
Brisbane piled on 28 unanswered points in the first 28 minutes in a start that left the last-placed Gold Coast outfit shell-shocked.
Slater, whose Maroons must win in Perth on June 18 to keep the Origin series alive, is now tasked with deciding whether to play Walsh or incumbent fullback Kalyn Ponga in the No.1 jersey.
He could give the No.1 jumper to Walsh and use Ponga as a utility off the bench, which was how he played his cards for last year’s decider.
Slater will reveal his squad for game two on Monday.
