Reece Walsh
Personal information
Born (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002
Southport, Queensland, Australia[1]
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight88 kg (13 st 12 lb)
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021–22 New Zealand Warriors 38 11 69 0 182
2023– Brisbane Broncos 22 9 3 1 43
Total 60 20 72 1 225
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023 Queensland 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [2]
As of 1 October 2023

Reece Walsh (born 10 July 2002) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL). He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.

Background

Walsh was born in Southport, a suburb of the Gold Coast, Queensland,[1] to an Indigenous Australian father, and a Māori mother from Hastings, New Zealand. He was raised by his father and stepmother in the Gold Coast suburb of Nerang, and grew up playing junior rugby league for the Nerang Roosters.[3] He attended Keebra Park State High School throughout his teenage years before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors

Playing career

Early career

In 2018, Walsh represented the Queensland Murri under-16 and Queensland under-16 sides.[4] In 2019, he played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their National Under-18 Title and Mal Meninga Cup-winning sides while he also spent the year training with the Brisbane Broncos NRL squad.[5] In June 2019, he represented Queensland under-18, scoring a try in their 34–12 win over New South Wales.[6] In September 2019, he represented the Australian Schoolboys, scoring a try in their 36–20 win over the Junior Kiwis.[7]

2021

In 2021, Walsh joined the Brisbane Broncos NRL squad on a development contract.[8] He began the season playing for the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup.[9]

On 18 March, Walsh signed a three-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors, beginning in 2022.[10][11] On 10 April, he was released early from his Brisbane contract to join the Warriors immediately.[12][13]

On 25 April, in round 7 of the 2021 NRL season, Walsh made his first grade debut for the Warriors against Melbourne.[14]

In May, Walsh confirmed his allegiance to Queensland and Australia over New Zealand.[1] It was confirmed on 21 June that he had been selected to play as fullback for the Queensland Maroons for the second game of the State of Origin series.[15] At 18, he would have been the youngest player to be selected in the Queensland team since Ben Ikin in 1995, however he was ruled out due to an injury.[16]

In round 23, Walsh had a disappointing afternoon with the goal kicking duties only managing to convert one goal from five attempts, including a conversion attempt near the touch-line late in the game which would likely have sent the game against Brisbane into extra-time. New Zealand lost the match 24-22 which effectively ended their already slim chance of reaching the finals.[17]

Cocaine possession

On 25 September 2021, a video emerged of Walsh being arrested by police at a Surfers Paradise nightclub. The following day, Walsh fronted the media and said that he had failed a previous move on order by the police. He then went on to say “I didn't move on. That led to me getting arrested and taken back to the police station. Once I got back to the police station I got searched and I was in possession of a small bag of cocaine – which I had some during the night.

"No-one else is involved in this. It is solely on me. I put my hand up – I should never have done it. It is a mistake I made. I want to say sorry to sponsors, fans, the Warriors".[18] He was handed a $5000 fine and suspended for two matches over the incident.[19]

2022

On 20 June, Walsh was selected in the extended Queensland Maroons squad for State of Origin Game 2, however did not play.[20] On 6 July, Walsh was granted an early release from his New Zealand contract to re-join his former club Brisbane starting in 2023. Walsh cited a relationship breakdown as the reason for the move. He had also reportedly turned down a $2.8 million offer from new NRL franchise The Dolphins in favour of signing with Brisbane.[21] On 7 July, Brisbane officially announced his return to the club, on a three-year deal.[22]

2023

On 1 January, it was reported that Walsh became involved in a verbal altercation with Gold Coast player David Fifita. The pair needed to be separated by security staff at Burleigh Heads. In the pre-season trials, Walsh suffered a facial injury in Brisbane's match against the Gold Coast and was ruled out for an indefinite period.[23][24] In round 2 of the 2023 NRL season, Walsh made his club debut for Brisbane and scored a try in their 28–16 victory over arch-rivals North Queensland.[25] The following week, he scored two tries in a 40–18 victory over St. George Illawarra.[26]

After a series of good performances, Walsh was selected to make his debut for Queensland in game one of the 2023 State of Origin series, replacing incumbent fullback Kalyn Ponga.[27] Walsh was involved in an altercation with New South Wales five-eighth Jarome Luai in the final minutes of game two of the State of Origin series, resulting in both players being sent off and New South Wales winger Josh Addo-Carr being sin-binned. Queensland won the game 32–6, and henceforth the series.[28]

In June 2023, Walsh was suspended for three matches for contrary conduct towards a match official, after saying "What the fuck do you mean, cunt?" directly after referee Chris Butler blew an obstruction penalty in the Broncos' round 17 loss to the Gold Coast Titans. Walsh claimed this was aimed at teammate Patrick Carrigan. As a result of the suspension, Walsh missed the third State of Origin match.[29]

On 29 September, the NRL integrity unit were reportedly investigating Walsh for a verbal altercation he had with a Penrith supporter at Sydney's Darling Harbour. It was alleged that the supporter yelled at Walsh “Moses Leota will take your head off this weekend”. Walsh responded with “I’ll take your mum’s”.[30] Walsh played a total of 22 games for Brisbane in the 2023 NRL season. Walsh played in Brisbane's 26-24 loss against Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final. [31]

Statistics

Club

Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2021 New Zealand 16 9 21 70.00% 0 78
2022 22 2 48 78.69% 0 104
2023 Brisbane 22 9 3 60.00% 1 43
2024
Career totals 60 20 72 75.79% 1 225

Honours

Brisbane Broncos (#282)

  • NRL Grand FInal Runners-up: 2023
  • Allan Langer Best Back: 2023
  • RLPA The Players’ Dream Team (Fullback): 2023

New Zealand Warriors (#259)

  • Warriors' People's Choice Award: 2022
  • Rookie of the Year: 2021
  • RLPA Rookie of the Year: 2021

Queensland (#229)

  • State of Origin Series Winner: 2023

Other

  • 2023 GQ Breakthrough Sportsman of the Year[32]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Whittaker, Troy (27 May 2021). "'Aussie' Reece confirms his representative allegiances". NRL.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "Reece Walsh - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
  3. ↑ Walter, Brad (20 April 2021). "'I love that part of me': Walsh on RTS and Maori heritage". NRL.com. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Reece learning the importance of hard work". QRL. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Seagulls' season the most successful since 2007". Gold Coast Titans. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "2019". 18th Man. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "2019". 18th Man. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Broncos Statement: Reece Walsh". Brisbane Broncos. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Five standouts from NSW and Queensland Cup who could make jump to NRL after round two". Sporting News. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "Vodafone Warriors snare talented young fullback Walsh". NZ Warriors. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Brendan Piakura could join Reece Walsh in quitting Broncos". Courier Mail. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  12. ↑ "Way cleared for Walsh to join Vodafone Warriors". NZ Warriors. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Warriors finally snare Australian Schools fullback Reece Walsh". Stuff. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  14. ↑ "Walsh and Berry to debut". NZ Warriors. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "Reece Walsh included in Queensland Maroons' State of Origin squad for game two on Sunday". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  16. ↑ Badel, Peter; Craddock, Robert (21 June 2021). "Queensland Maroons State of Origin team game 2 2021: Reece Walsh to make debut". The Courier-Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  17. ↑ "Devastated Walsh not to blame for 'conservative' Warriors loss: Brown". www.nrl.com. 22 August 2021.
  18. ↑ "Reece Walsh's emotional apology after Surfers Paradise arrest". News.com.au. 26 September 2021.
  19. ↑ "Reece Walsh cops $5000 fine, two-game ban, Brandon Smith fined $15,000, one-game ban". www.stuff.co.nz. 5 October 2021.
  20. ↑ "Queensland Maroons Game II squad". qrl.com. 19 June 2022.
  21. ↑ "Reece Walsh released to join Brisbane Broncos after family breakdown as Warriors sign Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad". 7news.com.au. 6 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "Walsh Comes Home To Broncos". broncos.com.au. 7 July 2022.
  23. ↑ "Bronco Reece Walsh and Titan David Fifita in heated nightclub confrontation". www.heraldsun.com.au.
  24. ↑ "'I want to play': Injured Broncos young gun Reece Walsh ready for round one". wwos.nine.com.au.
  25. ↑ "Reece Walsh stars as Brisbane Broncos beat Cowboys 28-16 in Queensland NRL derby, Cronulla edges Parramatta 30-26 in thriller". ABC News. 10 March 2023.
  26. ↑ "Unbeaten Broncos set up blockbuster Brisbane NRL derby against Dolphins as Warriors, Gold Coast score upset wins". ABC News. 18 March 2023.
  27. ↑ "'Tough phone calls': Billy grilled over Ponga bombshell, axings as QLD abandon 'pick and stick'". www.foxsports.com.au/nrl. 22 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "Walsh stuns in masterclass as DCE delivers in big moment again: QLD Player Ratings". www.foxsports.com.au. 21 June 2023.
  29. ↑ "Queensland star Reece Walsh banned for three matches, will miss Origin III". ABC News. ABC Australia. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Walters responds after Walsh's ugly 'mum' sledge as star involved in incident with Penrith fan". www.foxsports.com.au.
  31. ↑ "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  32. ↑ https://www.gq.com.au/men-of-the-year/reece-walsh-breakthrough-sportsman-of-the-year-2023/news-story/4c87ff472fc082805f70ed44f95e4ff1
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