Bench warmer no longer.
Warriors coach Nathan Brown has named wonder kid Reece Walsh in the No. 1 jersey for the first time when naming an unchanged side to take on the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday night.
The 18-year-old started at fullback in last Friday’s 30-26 win over the West Tigers but with the No. 17 on his back following a late call up from the bench when wing Ken Maumalo was a late scratching.
He has also started in the No. 6 jersey and worn it starting off the bench but the teenage talent has never pulled on the fullback’s jersey despite being brought to the Warriors from the Broncos to replace the rugby-bound Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Walsh, who joined the Warriors back in April, has been one of the form players of the NRL during the last two rounds and has again forced his captain Tuivasa-Sheck to the wing in place of Maumalo.
Brown has been vocal about trying to shelter his new trump card from the rigours of week in, week out NRL but his sensational showing against the Tigers and Maumalo’s injury has forced his hand and for now, it seems Walsh’s time starting from the bench is done.
Walsh dished out three try assists and scored one of his own as well as keeping the defence occupied as a decoy.
Brown made a somewhat feeble attempt to hose down the hype around Walsh in his post-match press conference but the teenage talent has been one of the biggest talking points in the entire competition since.
