Reece Walsh has been recalled into the Maroons squad for Origin II on June 17 and could be used in the halves if required after Queensland coach Billy Slater made a few tweaks to his side as they look to force a series decider at home.

Walsh is the biggest inclusion, with the Broncos fullback named on an extended bench for the MCG showdown at the expense of Brisbane teammate Ezra Mam, who has been axed from the squad.

Mam was dropped to the bench for the Broncos over the weekend and came up with the wrong option with the game on the line in the thrilling loss to the Titans.

Slater has made the call to bring Walsh back into the squad for what could be his first Origin appearance since the 2024 series, with Kalyn Ponga retained at fullback after he was sent off in game one.

Walsh played one club game at five-eighth back in 2021 but shapes as the logical option to come on in the halves if Sam Walker or Cameron Munster get injured during the game.

“We think it’s the best thing for the footy team (to have him) on the bench,” Slater said, confirming Walsh would be an option to come on in the halves if necessary.

“We all know what Reece is capable of doing, and now we’ve got 10 days to go after our best footy and help our players be at their best.”

Walsh was the best player in last year’s grand final and was rewarded with the fullback jersey for the Ashes tour, but he’s only had six try assists this season and hasn’t reached those heights in a Broncos team that has fallen off a cliff.

It’s why he wasn’t picked in the squad for game one, although his coach didn’t want to expand on that.

“I’ll keep all that stuff in house,” Slater replied when asked what he’d seen from Walsh in recent weeks that warranted a recall.

“I’ve got a great relationship with Reece that goes back to when he debuted for the Warriors.

“He’s built a really good game, and if needed, I’m sure he’ll go out and do that.

“We all know what he’s capable of. It’s about us playing our best footy as a team. We’re more than one person, and that’s been the strength of this footy team for a long time.”

Dolphins powerhouse Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is set to make his Maroons debut off the bench after a brilliant start to the season, while Murray Taulagi comes onto the bench with Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki both out injured.

Slater has made a minor change to the starting side, with Reuben Cotter shifting from an edge to lock. Briton Nikora starts in the back row and Max Plath drops back to the bench.

Queensland doesn’t need to tinker with its tactics too much given they led 20-0 in Sydney and most likely would have romped to victory had Ponga not been sent off for a shoulder charge on Tolu Koula.

“It’s a bit of a balance of celebrating and keeping a hold of what we did well and then going after incremental improvements of our game,” Slater said.

“I think traditionally that games two and three are improved performances by both teams.

“We’ll be looking to chase that, but first and foremost, we’ll be looking to chase what we got right in game one.”

The Blues will name their squad at 7pm as they look to wrap up the series in Melbourne.

Maroons squad for game two:

Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jojo Fifita, Cameron Munster, Sam Walker, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Briton Nikora, Kurt Capewell, Reuben Cotter, Max Plath, Lindsay Collins, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Trent Loiero, Reece Walsh, Murray Taulagi, Heilum Luki.

Originally published as Billy Slater brings back Reece Walsh for pivotal MCG showdown as Maroons look to save Origin series