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Reece Walsh says ‘I'm ready' to make State of Origin return

Reece Walsh says ‘I'm ready' to make State of Origin return

News.com.au08-06-2025

Reece Walsh returned in style for the Brisbane Broncos and now the star fullback is putting his hand up for the Maroons.
Walsh was sidelined for six weeks with a PCL injury, but showed flashes of brilliance against the Gold Coast Titans as the Broncos secured the 44-14 victory.
The 22-year-old was so keen to get back on the park he reportedly told Broncos coaches to shut up and let him play, according to CODE Sports.
'I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there,'' Walsh said.
'It is good to be back. It feels good. I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself.''
After losing the Origin opener, several question marks hang over the Maroons squad with Walsh giving selectors something to think about at fullback.
'If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go,' Walsh said.
Slater was quizzed on a potential Walsh recall, but the Maroons coach kept his cards close to his chest but did concede he would be in the discussion.
'I have actually had this injury (a PCL). I know exactly what Reece was going through when he went down towards the back end of the game.
'Posterior cruciate ligaments can be quite painful and, to be honest, Reece is going to have to play with that for the rest of the season. It is something he will have to manage for the rest of the year.
'The other thing you have to think about is when you throw names up you have to take someone out. So it's a balance.''
Warriors star earns Maroons recall
New Zealand Warriors stalwart Kurt Capewell is reportedly set to be named in the Queensland side after remaining in Australia as his teammates returned home.
The 31-year-old played in Game 2 and 3 of the 2024 series, but was ultimately dropped for the 2025 series opener and was omitted from the 20-man squad.
According to AAP, Capewell is set to be rewarded for his strong club form, having spent time in the back row and centres this season under Andrew Webster.
The veteran back rower has already played 11 games for his state, having featured in all three fixtures in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
However, he didn't feature in 2023 before he was recalled on the bench in Game 2 last season and then in the back row in the decider.
DCE's Origin career all but over
Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly set to be dropped by the Maroons for State of Origin Game 2.
In what looms as the biggest selection call of Billy Slater's tenure so far, the Queensland coach is weighing up his halves combination for Game 2 after his side was thoroughly outplayed in the series opener.
According to Code Sports, Slater is currently leaning towards axing Cherry-Evans in a bombshell selection move, with the veteran's Origin career 'all but over'.
If Cherry-Evans is dropped, Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden would be named at halfback to partner five-eighth Cameron Munster after impressing off the bench in several Origin games.

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Selwyn Cobbo meets with rival amid fears Broncos gun could ‘walk away from NRL'
Selwyn Cobbo meets with rival amid fears Broncos gun could ‘walk away from NRL'

News.com.au

timean hour ago

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Selwyn Cobbo meets with rival amid fears Broncos gun could ‘walk away from NRL'

Selwyn Cobbo's future at the Broncos is in serious doubt after the talented back met with a rival club amid fears he could walk away from his NRL career altogether. It appears increasingly likely Cobbo will be the highest profile victim of Brisbane's salary cap squeeze after the Broncos locked down several members of their roster this week. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The Broncos announced they had re-signed Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer — Staggs reportedly to a $2.4 million contract extension that leaves little room in the salary cap. Cobbo is facing a substantial pay cut from around $650,000 to $300,000 if he remains at the Broncos, and there is no shortage of clubs interested in the 23-year-old. According to Code Sports, Cobbo flew to Sydney earlier this month for preliminary talks with St George Illawarra in 'the strongest sign yet Cobbo is on the verge of quitting the Broncos'. Watch Fox League's experts discuss Selwyn Cobbo's future in the video above The Dragons signed Clint Gutherson last season and the 30-year-old fullback has another two years left on his deal, but could move to the centres. The North Queensland Cowboys are also in the mix to recruit Cobbo, especially should he choose to remain in Queensland. Cobbo has previously been linked to the Roosters, but the Sydney club is not expected to make a formal pitch for him. Cobbo, who has played fullback and wing during his career, is currently not in Michael Maguire's first choice team and has been overlooked by Queensland coach Billy Slater for State of Origin this year. Cobbo looked most comfortable playing at fullback while filling in for an injured Reece Walsh earlier this year, and when given the licence to roam, the comparisons to Greg Inglis are evident. Greg Alexander said on Fox League on Friday: 'They don't want him, do they. They've shown they're not that keen on keeping him. I'd say 'see ya later' if I was Selwyn.' Ex-Broncos coach Kevin Walters replied: 'Well that's the message they're sending. They can't keep signing all these other players and expect to keep Selwyn. 'That's fine (re-signing other players) but they're virtually squeezing him out of the club, that's their message. You can't expect someone to stay and play on half price, can you. 'There was some talk of a million dollars at the start of the year. 'I think Selwyn is a wonderful footballer. His value at any club is he can play centre, he can play wing, he can play fullback. 'You can't just upgrade and extending everyone and expect to keep them as well. Someone gets squeezed out and it looks like Selwyn will be that person. 'He'll be a great pick-up for any club. 'Surely the NRL wouldn't register his contract at $300,000. That's way unders.' The development comes amid fears Cobbo, who hails from the regional Queensland town of Cherbourg, could be lost to the NRL altogether if he opts not to continue his career in Sydney. Code Sports reports the Broncos are preparing to hold crisis talks with Cobbo and Indigenous elders over fears he could walk away from the NRL. 'He is such a special talent and it would be such a shame if he walked away from the game,' Yvonne Sampson said on Fox League on Friday. Walters said: 'I can't see Selwyn walking away from the game but he'll have to walk away from the Broncos because he's worth more than $300,000 a year.' Alexander said: 'He has gone through periods in his career where he's seemingly bowed out, had a rest and said, 'I need a break'.' Walters said: 'There's no doubt there are times he gets homesick. In my time there he got homesick. That's an ongoing management thing the club would have to work with him.' 'He loves his family in Cherbourg, he's very connected to Country, it's very important to him,' Sampson explained. Cobbo has been named as a reserve for Brisbane's round 16 game against Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

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