The three-way battle for Maroons’ No.1 jumper, and the tackle that may seal the deal |
The three-way battle for Maroons’ No.1 jumper, and the tackle that may seal the deal
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Two rounds remain before the first teams for the State of Origin series are named, and Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has a fullback dilemma.
Three men are vying for the No.1 jumper that the NRL great made famous. We break down the contenders.
For all the attacking wizardry he produces, one defensive play against the Roosters may have just sealed Reece Walsh’s Queensland comeback.
As Sydney led 30-0 against the Broncos, Daniel Tupou’s break created what appeared to be a simple two-on-one against Walsh and Roosters centre Hugo Savala.
But Walsh’s positioning covered both men and eventually forced Savala into touch, in one of the elite try-saving tackles of the season. Brisbane went on to score four unanswered tries, with their momentum only halted by Pat Carrigan’s error on the attack again, and Kotoni Staggs being sent to the sin bin.
Walsh would score the first of those tries, and set up another, but it was that never-say-die defensive play that no doubt would have made Slater sit up.
“He’s one of those people who, if he puts his mind to it, can achieve anything,” Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam said of Walsh.
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