Billy Slater breaks silence on ugly claims after real reason for Reece Walsh’s axing revealed
The Queensland coach has addressed the situation before State of Origin 1.
Queensland coach Billy Slater has rejected suggestions there’s ‘something else’ behind Reece Walsh’s snub for State of Origin 1, insisted his relationship with the Broncos fullback is good. Walsh was a shock omission from the Maroons’ team for Origin 1, and wasn’t even included in the 20-man squad.
Former NRL stars James Graham and Luke Keary have both suggested there must be something more to Walsh’s axing than simply his form. But speaking to Triple M radio on Sunday, Slater shot down the theory.
“I’m not surprised by any narrative that gets thrown around in this game,” Slater said. “I get that everyone has an opinion and what they want to say, but I’ve got a great relationship with Reece.
“We’ve been connected for about five years. Ever since he’s been in the NRL to be honest. I’ve got a lot of time for him and I’m sure he’ll earn his opportunity to play in this jersey in the future.”
Darren Lockyer reveals reason for Reece Walsh snub
Last week, Queensland selectors Darren Lockyer and Gene Miles both revealed that Walsh’s omission was down to confidence issues. The 23-year-old hasn’t been at his best since returning from a facial fracture, and the Maroons want to see him back to his confident self before picking him for Origin.
“Going into a big Origin game with confidence, it plays a huge factor,” Lockyer told The Courier Mail. “Reece is coming back from a month off. The Broncos are struggling a bit for form and we just felt that Kalyn is playing in a winning team at the moment. He is a big contributor to that and he is just in almost career-best form.
“We know what Reece is capable of. The key now for Reece is how he responds to the disappointment and focuses on getting back to playing his best footy.”
(Bradley Kanaris)
Slater reportedly phoned Walsh in the lead-up to Magic Round and asked him how he was feeling. According to reports, Walsh admitted he wasn’t playing at 100 per cent and feeling fully confident in himself.
“I don’t know why else you’d leave him out and I don’t think Billy would leave him out if he was alright,” former NRL player James Maloney said last week. “But if he’s said I’m not quite right then [Slater] went ‘OK I’ll leave you (out of the team)’.”