Broncos fans and coach Michael Maguire were left frustrated at the circumstances surrounding Reece Walsh’s HIA after he was sent from the field after what appeared to be a very minor knock. The Warriors were far too good for the Broncos during NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium with Andrew Webster’s side winning 42-12 after an avalanche of penalties went to the New Zealand side.
Walsh didn’t enjoy the best game for his side, but it got a lot worse after Warriors forward Mitch Barnett made contact with Walsh’s head during the game. The Broncos fullback didn’t appear dazed and got straight back up to follow the play. No penalty was awarded to the Broncos.
Michael Maguire (pictured left) was left flabbergasted at the circumstances around Reece Walsh’s (pictured far right) HIA in the second-half. (Images: Getty Images/Channel Nine)
(Getty Images/Channel Nine)
However, much to the frustration of Walsh he was ordered off the field for an HIA. Walsh seemed miffed by the decision. He appeared to talk to the independent doctor on his way off as he vented his frustration.
Walsh came back on after 15 minutes, but the game was over with the Warriors running away with it. The round of footy got worse for Walsh after it was confirmed he would miss out on Origin selection.
And his coach was also left baffled by the decision for Walsh to leave the field. The contact on Walsh wasn’t deemed to be worthy of a penalty during the game, but was deemed to be enough to see the independent doctor order Walsh from the field.
And coach Maguire was unhappy with the decision, which left their team without their star fullback. “That was strange,” Maguire said in his post-game press conference.
“I mean, how do you not get a penalty when you’ve got to go off? He got hit in the head. The game’s put a lot of good things in place around that at the moment.”
Reece Walsh went for an HIA for this incident, but wasn’t awarded a penalty. (Image: Channel Nine)
(Channel Nine)
When Maguire was asked if he would be speaking to the NRL about the circumstances around the HIA. “Yeah,” he said.
The Broncos have now lost three in a row and have slipped to 11th on the ladder. Maguire will be hoping the likes of Payne Haas can get back on the field soon as the Broncos get a number of byes throughout the State of Origin schedule.
Reece Walsh snubbed in State of Origin selection
Unfortunately for Walsh, Queensland coach Billy Slater opted to leave the Australian fullback out of his side. Kalyn Ponga got the nod to wear the fullback role, despite repots he would play halfback. Sam Walker earned his debut in Origin and will play alongside Cameron Munster come Origin.
Ahead of selection, Maguire backed Walsh to earn the fullback jersey and return to the Origin arena after being left out due to injury in 2025. “If I was picking the team, I’d pick Reece,” Maguire said when the reports about Walsh’s snub were put to him.
“I’m obviously pretty fond of what he’s capable of doing, and I get to see it every day. He’s working hard, he’s doing things in the background, and I think no matter what happens with Reece … He knows he’s got to keep working hard at his game, and if he does that then those opportunities will come about at the right time.”
Reece Walsh (pictured far right) wasn’t able to help the Broncos defeat the Warriors in Magic Round. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)