Reece Walsh concedes he’s at long odds to be fit in time for the State of Origin series opener, with the livewire Broncos fullback excited about the prospect of potentially having to battle it out with teammate Selwyn Cobbo for the No.1 jersey when he returns.
The injured superstar damaged his posterior cruciate ligament against the Warriors in round 7 and was able to play through the pain, with the club’s medical staff predicting he’d be out for 4-6 weeks.
The incumbent Queensland fullback is racing the clock for game one on May 28 and told reporters on Thursday that he would likely miss the series opener which opens the door for Kalyn Ponga to take his spot.
“No, probably not the first Origin,” Walsh said.
“But you never know how it (his knee) is feeling.
“It’s holding up pretty well at the moment, but hopefully I can get through the rehab and see how we go.
“It’s just a bit of rehab for me at the moment, trying to keep my knee moving.
“I’m not sure (how much longer I’ll be sidelined), it might be a couple more weeks. I will get through my rehab as best I can and see how it’s feeling.
“Everyone’s return (from a PCL injury) has been different. I will see how it pulls up each week, so I have no idea when I will be back. I will keep doing the best I can.”
In Walsh’s absence, Cobbo shifted from the right wing to fullback where he excelled in appalling conditions in Brisbane’s thumping win over the Bulldogs last week.
It’s a good headache for Broncos coach Michael Maguire, who will likely slot Walsh straight back in at fullback when he’s healthy, and the competition for spots will only benefit the team in the coming weeks.
“I feel like having that healthy competition throughout the club is good, it’s only going to push everybody to be their best,” Walsh said.
“‘Cobs’ is a freak. I have been really proud of how he is playing. If anything, he is giving me some tips.
“It’s rugby league. It’s the next-man-up mentality we have at the club and everyone is stepping up.
“I am really proud of the way the boys are going, they are fighting each week.”