Young halfback Sam Walker’s first two State of Origin games have been so spectacular, Maroons captain Cameron Munster is joking that he might consider hanging up the boots.
Stepping in to replace the injured Tom Dearden, Walker put on a masterclass at the MCG on Wednesday night.
Sam Walker was a breakout star in game two. Nine
He walked away with man of the match honours after guiding Queensland to an emphatic victory, the Maroons side forcing a blockbuster State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium after a thumping 44-24 win.
“He’s going outstanding – I might have to hang them up soon with the way he’s playing and Tommy Dearden as well,” Munster said post game.
Once Dearden rehabs his high ankle sprain, Queensland coach Billy Slater will face a monumental selection headache for the series decider, with three key halfback choices and only two spots to fill.
For Walker, the whirlwind success in front of a 92,000-strong crowd was unable to shake his composure.
“It was really special. I think to sort of bounce back from such a tough loss in game one, for the boys to come out and be really steely and ready to go tonight down here in Melbourne, it was awesome,” Walker said after the match.
“It’s a great week, and I’m stoked to get the win.
“It’s really special. I guess, obviously, more stoked about the win, and probably hasn’t quite set in, but eventually, it’ll be something pretty cool,” he said of the man of the match accolade.
“But for now, we’ve got a job to do in a couple of weeks.”
Walker had a fantastic performance in front of roaring fans at the MCG, icing the cake with a perfect 7/7 from the kicking tee.
The rugby league world has been quick to praise the young playmaker’s maturity under the immense pressure to replace Dearden on short notice.
Queensland Maroons’ legend Cameron Smith said it was the young gun’s “composure” that shocked him.
“It was his composure, that he played with tonight, much like he did in the first half of game one, I was really impressed with,” Smith said on Nine.
“The way he handled the situation. The football side was under pressure to perform, to come here tonight and perform.
“Usually off the back of any top performance, the first person they look to critique is the guy wearing the number seven jersey, (but) he was outstanding.
“I thought he did a really good job too when Munster was off the field for 15 minutes with his HIA. He just…kept the team rolling forward, kept kicking long.
Lindsay Collins celebrates a try with Sam Walker and Harry Grant. Getty Images
“His ability to link with Cameron Munster…going back to game one, he was the best fighter on the field until Kalyn Ponga (left). He could have easily had two man of the match performances (from) his first game.
“What a performance it was from Sam, it’s going to be fascinating seeing him in action.”
In just two matches, Walker has cemented himself as a key component of this year’s Origin series and as Queensland forced a 2026 series decider on their home turf, the young halfback will be vying to keep his spot in the starting squad.