Warriors leave door open for Reece Walsh call-up against Storm but won’t rush star recruit

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Reece Walsh has been named in an extended squad after joining the Warriors two weeks ago. Picture: STUFF SPORTS.

Nathan Brown didn’t bring young gun Reece Walsh to the Warriors this season not to play him, but a potential NRL debut against the Storm this weekend might be pushing it.

Despite only switching from the Broncos a fortnight ago, Walsh has been included in the extended squad for the Anzac Day game in Melbourne as the Warriors grapple with a heavy injury toll.

Brown hasn’t ruled out calling the highly-rated 18-year-old into the playing 17, but as long as the fitness of those chosen ahead of him holds up, he will likely watch from the stands.

“If the whole squad comes through he’d probably be unlikely, but it depends on the fitness,” the coach said. “At the moment, the squad we’ve named looks like it’s going to hold together but there’s a still a few days to go so we’ll have to wait and see.

“It’s a good experience to be named and travel with the team, that will be a great experience anyway. We certainly don’t want to rush him if we don’t have to, but we’ll just see what unfolds with the squad later in the week. At this stage, you’d have to think it was unlikely.”

An Anzac Day game against the reigning premiers, who have won their last nine games against the Warriors, would be a big occasion for any player to walk into, let alone a teenage rookie.

But Brown was confident Walsh would be ready for the step up if selected.

While the former Australian Schoolboys representative was signed as the long-term replacement for rugby-bound fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, he’s also at home in the halves.

Walsh wore the No 6 jersey for feeder club Redcliffe last week and his utility value is another asset Brown will factor in as he weighs up when to blood the youngster, whether that be on Sunday or the weeks ahead.

“He’s a very, very talented player. The boys have got to see things that’s he naturally gifted at. They’ve also got to see things that are going to be good work-ons for him,” Brown said.

 

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