Reece Walsh

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Reece Walsh
Personal information
Full nameReece Walsh
Born (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 19)
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia[1]
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight88 kg (13 st 12 lb)
Playing information
PositionFullback, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021– New Zealand Warriors 16 9 21 0 78
As of 22 June 2021
Source: [2]

Reece Walsh (born 10 July 2002) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL.

Background[]

Walsh was born on 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 step-mother in Nerang, Queensland, and grew up playing for the Nerang Roosters.[3]

He attended Keebra Park State High School before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.[4]

Playing career[]

Early career[]

In 2018, Walsh represented the Queensland Murri under-16 and Queensland under-16 sides.[5] In 2019, he played for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their National Under-18 Title and Mal Meninga Cup-winning sides.[6] In June 2019, he represented Queensland under-18, scoring a try in their 34–12 win over New South Wales.[7] In September 2019, he represented the Australian Schoolboys, scoring a try in their 36–20 win over the Junior Kiwis.[8]

2021[]

In 2021, Walsh joined the Brisbane Broncos NRL squad on a development contract.[9] He began the season playing for the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup.[10]

On 18 March, Walsh signed a three-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors, beginning in 2022.[11][12] On 10 April, he was released early from his Brisbane contract to join the New Zealand Warriors immediately.[13][14]

On 25 April, in round 7 of the 2021 NRL season, Walsh made his first grade debut for the New Zealand Warriors against Melbourne.[15]

In May 2021, Walsh confirmed his allegiance to Queensland and Australia over New Zealand.[1]

It was confirmed on 21 June 2021 that Walsh had been selected to play as fullback for the Queensland Maroons for the second game of the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on 27 June 2021.[16] At 18, he is the youngest player to be selected in the Queensland team since Ben Ikin in 1995.[17]

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.[18]

Controversy[]

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".[19]

On 6 October 2021, Walsh was handed a $5000 fine and suspended for two matches over the incident.[20]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c 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 Walsh likes what he has seen so far from his Keebra Park side in the Allan Langer Cup". Gold Coast Bulletin. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Reece learning the importance of hard work". QRL. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Seagulls' season the most successful since 2007". Gold Coast Titans. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  7. ^ "2019". 18th Man. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  8. ^ "2019". 18th Man. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Broncos Statement: Reece Walsh". Brisbane Broncos. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Vodafone Warriors snare talented young fullback Walsh". NZ Warriors. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Brendan Piakura could join Reece Walsh in quitting Broncos". Courier Mail. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Way cleared for Walsh to join Vodafone Warriors". NZ Warriors. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Warriors finally snare Australian Schools fullback Reece Walsh". Stuff. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Walsh and Berry to debut". NZ Warriors. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Devastated Walsh not to blame for 'conservative' Warriors loss: Brown". www.nrl.com. 22 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Reece Walsh's emotional apology after Surfers Paradise arrest". News.com.au — Australia's Leading News Site. 26 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Reece Walsh cops $5000 fine, two-game ban, Brandon Smith fined $15,000, one-game ban". www.stuff.co.nz. 5 October 2021.

External links[]

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