Walsh set for Blues barrage on State of Origin debut

Former Queensland and Australia fullback Gary Belcher says NSW would be worried about the threat posed by rookie Maroons fullback Reece Walsh in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash at Adelaide Oval.

The exciting 20-year-old Brisbane Broncos No.1 will have to survive a baptism of fire if Queensland is going to upset NSW — a $1.82 favourite with Ladbrokes.

But Belcher, who won two premierships with Canberra (1989-90), toured twice with the Kangaroos (1986-90), and played 16 Origins from 1986-93, has openly backed Walsh to handle his biggest rugby league occasion.

“There’s no doubt they (NSW) will go after him with kicks, it’s such a big part of Nathan Cleary’s arsenal,” Belcher told BettingSite.com.au.

“But he’s a super confident kid and he’s certainly brave enough.”

The Blues are set to wind back the Origin clock 19 years to when they bombed and bashed another brilliant 20-year-old speedster, Billy Slater, in his debut for Queensland in game one of 2004.

Walsh is already widely regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players in the NRL.

But NSW will test out his big game nerves early with Cleary’s boot, both in the air and along the ground.

Walsh has been electrifying with the ball in hand, either scoring tries or setting them up with his mature passing game.

He has crossed the try line four times this season for the Broncos, but the impressive part of his game is his 13 try assists and 62 tackle breaks to go with eight line breaks.

His season figures stack up well against rival NSW fullback James Tedesco, who has scored four tries and had 50 tackle breaks.

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However, Walsh’s high error rate of 21 this season — second only to his Brisbane and Queensland teammate Selwyn Cobbo (22) — is a concern and a big reason why the Blues which launch a blitzkrieg on him from the start.

Every time Walsh fields a kick, he can expect to see or hear Tevita Pangai Junior, Hudson Young or Tyson Frizell, or possibly all three, charging down on him.

Coach Slater will have done his best to brief his new custodian on what is coming his way from his own early Origin experiences, and no doubt Walsh’s speed, evasiveness, and dangerous passing game will provide more than a few highlights.

“He’s a super talent,” said Belcher.

“Origin brings the best out in some players and I’ve got a really good feeling about Reece Walsh.

“He’s not shy, he’s not going to go into his shell and hope it all goes right. I think he’ll just go looking for it and get heavily involved.”

Belcher, who was a great attacking fullback, said Walsh had that special speed that made him so dangerous.

“One-on-one you just can’t stay with him,” he said

“If you do stay with him, he’s going to open you up and open a big hole on his inside.

“I think they’ll be very worried about him and what he can do on the edges.”

NSW has made one late change with Penrith centre Stephen Crichton coming into the starting side for the injured Latrell Mitchell (hamstring).

There has also been ongoing speculation that coach Brad Fittler could promote Junior Paulo into the front row ahead of Pangai Junior.

Slater is also reported to be considering a late change with North Queensland’s Reuben Cotter a possibility of starting the game.

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