By Wayne Heming

Brisbane Broncos sensation Reece Walsh will make his belated debut for Queensland after claiming the fullback job for the first game of the interstate series against NSW at Adelaide Oval on May 31.

Reece was named ahead of Newcastle incumbent Kalyn Ponga who suffered another head knock on the weekend but finished the game against Cronulla.

“I’m really comfortable that is the right decision for everyone involved,” Queensland coach Billy Slater said, explaining Ponga’s absence from the side after his heroics in last year’s third game decider.

“Walsh has been playing some fantastic football and I’ve watched him closer than most.

“He’s in a really good place.

Slater was asked if Ponga’s omission came down to a “duty of care”.

“There was no more influential player in last year’s series than Kalyn Ponga.

“We take everything into consideration, including that and we came to the decision we reached.

Walsh was denied an Origin debut in game two of the 2021 series at the age of 18 when he was a late scratching suffering a hamstring injury at the Maroon’s final training session.

“Reece has earned his place. There’s a lot more to Reece Walsh than we see on the surface. He has a great work ethic and his game is in a good place.”

Slater said he had to make some very difficult phone calls last night to players.

“I had to make some really tough phone calls last night. There were some good ones (to Walsh) but there were some very hard ones.

“Speaking to Kalyn, speaking to Gags (Dane Gagai), to Kurt (Capewell), Xavier Coates, they’re tough phone calls to make.

“They’re not easy decisions to make but they are made for the right reasons and I believe we’ve got it right.

“Those four guys are Queenslanders through and through. By the end of the conversations they were all really supportive of the team, they all want success for this team and they are willing to support the team in any way.

“They’re great men and they’re great Queenslanders.”

Titan’s powerhouse David Fifita has been recalled to the Maroon’s engine room with enforcer Felise Kaufusi copping a three-week suspension today for a high tackle on former Melbourne Storm teammate Christian Welch at the weekend.

Fifita’sTitans teammate Fa’asuamaleaui was also put on report for a lifting tackle in the second half of the Titan’s 20-18 loss to the Bulldogs yesterday but has escaped suspension and will take his place in the Queensland side.

Walsh, who has had a sensational start to the NRL season, featuring very prominently in Dally M voting, is the only rookie in coach Billy Slater’s 19-man extended squad.

He has crossed for tries in his 11 games and has provided Brisbane with a point of difference in attack with his brilliant running and passing game.

Slater, who played 31 Origins for Queensland, and co-selectors Gene Miles (Chairman) and Darren Lockyer, have not closed the door on Ponga by any means in this series but clearly, they were concerned for his health and welfare when picking the team.

Ponga flew to Canada recently to consult with a neurologist recently to get a clearance to return to the NRL after spending five weeks on the sidelines.

North Queensland’s Murray Taulagi, 24, will play his second Origin on the wing, after making his one and only appearance in game two last year.

Only 11 players who were part of game three last year have been selected for game one at Adelaide Oval.

Ponga, Gagai, Corey Oates (injured), Josh Papalii (retired), Kurt Capewell, and Jeremiah Nanai (suspended) all played in the final game of last year’s series won 2-1 by Queensland.

Brisbane, one of five teams tied on 16 points after 12 rounds in the closest premiership in history, will provide four players – Walsh, Cobbo, Flegler, and Carrigan – to the Queensland side.

North Queensland has three players in Slater’s 17-man squad with goal-kicking centre Valentine Holmes, winger Taulagi, and defensive specialist Reuben Cotter as well as 18th man, Tom Dearden.

Holmes, who will step out for Origin number 14, is on target to become only the third Queensland player behind Johnathan Thurston (220 points) and Mal Meninga (161) to join Origin’s Centurion club.

Meanwhile, captain Daly Cherry Evans will join another elite club when he qualifies for membership in the prestigious Dick Tuner club by playing his 20th Origin game.