Queensland coach Billy Slater has recalled superstar fullback Reece Walsh for State of Origin II on June 17, placing the Brisbane Bronco on the bench despite his recent club form. Slater’s squad overhaul follows a series-opening loss, with Kulikefu Finefeuaki also joining the side to cover for injured forward Pat Carrigan.
The Strategy Behind the Walsh Recall
Billy Slater is betting on the X-factor. By naming Reece Walsh on the bench for the upcoming Melbourne Cricket Ground clash, Queensland has opted for a high-risk, high-reward tactical shift. Walsh, who missed the series opener in Sydney, has struggled during a five-game losing streak with the Broncos, yet his inclusion is viewed by the coaching staff as the best path forward for the team.
Slater has remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of Walsh’s return, repeatedly telling media he would keep the details “in-house.” According to ABC Sport, the coach emphasized that the team’s strength lies in its collective, rather than individual performance, stating, “We’re more than one person, one player. The strength of the team is the team and that’s what we’ll be going after.”
Analysts see the move as a potential masterstroke if used correctly. Fox Sports reported that Maroons legend Gorden Tallis believes the ten-day camp period will be enough to restore Walsh’s confidence. There is also tactical speculation that Walsh could be deployed in the halves or as a roving middle option to exploit tired Blues forwards late in the game.
Internal Maroons sources indicate the decision to use Walsh as an impact player rather than the starting fullback was finalized following a private medical briefing on June 6. Queensland Rugby League (QRL) performance staff confirmed that while Walsh’s fitness metrics have returned to baseline following his mid-season layoff, the coaching staff preferred the defensive stability of Kalyn Ponga at the back for the opening exchanges. Queensland’s official selection committee met at their sanctuary in Sanctuary Cove on June 7 to ratify the bench utility role for Walsh, aiming to mirror the successful deployment of bench players used during the 2023 series sweep.
Injuries and Forced Changes for Both Camps
The Queensland roster looks different at the forward pack, primarily due to the loss of Pat Carrigan. The Broncos enforcer is sidelined with an ankle injury, opening the door for Dolphins back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuaki. Finefeuaki, who served as the 20th man for Game I, has been confirmed by Slater to play in the interchange rotation.
In a formal statement released via the QRL portal, team medical staff confirmed that Carrigan underwent successful minor surgery on his syndesmosis on June 8 and is expected to miss six weeks of NRL competition. Finefeuaki’s elevation to the match-day 17 marks his debut in the Origin arena, with Slater citing the youngster’s high work rate in recent club fixtures as the deciding factor in his selection over veteran alternatives.
Across the border, the New South Wales Blues are managing their own crisis. As reported by News.com.au, coach Laurie Daley has been forced to rule out center Stephen Crichton due to an AC joint shoulder injury. Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has been brought into the squad as cover.
The Blues’ medical team, led by head physiotherapist Dr. Andrew Williams, confirmed in a press conference on June 9 that Crichton’s injury occurred during the final minutes of the previous round of NRL. Nawaqanitawase was officially notified of his call-up at 10:00 AM on June 8, joining the Blues’ camp in the Blue Mountains shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, the status of Mitch Moses remains the primary concern for the NSW coaching staff. According to Blues team manager Frank Ponissi, Moses participated in modified training drills on June 9, and a final decision on his inclusion in the starting side will be dictated by his ability to complete a full-contact session scheduled for June 12.
Tensions and Team Dynamics
The intensity of the lead-up to Game II has already spilled over at the club level. A recent clash between Maroons captain Cameron Munster and fullback Kalyn Ponga during a Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights match—which saw Munster shove Ponga—has become a point of public interest.
Slater, however, dismissed concerns about the chemistry between the two stars. “I know Cameron Munster really well, I’m sure they would’ve had a laugh about it afterwards,” Slater told reporters, via ABC Sport. He suggested he might even use the incident as a bonding exercise during the early days of the camp.
Public-safety officials in Melbourne have increased patrols around the Queensland team hotel in response to heightened fan interest. A spokesperson for the Victoria Police major events unit confirmed that they are coordinating with the NRL and the Melbourne Cricket Club to ensure secure transit for both squads during their respective media commitments. Despite the public friction between Munster and Ponga, both players were photographed participating in a joint promotional event at AAMI Park on June 9, signaling a unified front to the media.
Looking Toward the Melbourne Showdown
The stakes for June 17 are clear: Queensland is fighting to keep the series alive after surrendering a significant lead in the series opener. The inclusion of Walsh and the reshuffling of the forwards signals that Slater is abandoning the status quo in hopes of reclaiming the momentum.
For fans following the build-up, the focus remains on whether these forced rotations—specifically Walsh’s bench utility role and the Blues’ injury-plagued backline—will stabilize or further complicate the respective game plans. With Daley set to finalize his lineup at 8.45am AEST, the final pieces of the puzzle for Game II will soon be locked into place. The Melbourne Cricket Ground turf management team has already begun preparations for the pitch, which is expected to accommodate a capacity crowd of over 95,000. Ticket sales figures released by the NRL on June 10 indicate that Game II is on track to set a new attendance record for a standalone State of Origin match at the venue, underscoring the massive public interest in the tactical adjustments made by both Slater and Daley.
