Silence the Doubters: NRL great has called for the likes of Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds to show Reece Walsh plenty of support having backed…..

NRL great Shaun Johnson has called for the likes of Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds to show Reece Walsh plenty of support having backed the 22-year-old to find his form. All eyes were on Walsh heading into the Cowboys game on Friday night after a poor display against the Canberra Raiders the following week.

Plenty has been made about his game of late with the rocks and diamonds performances drawing criticism from NRL fans. And despite some moments of class against the Cowboys in the 26-16 win, Walsh struggled again making five errors and producing a range of rushed passes.

While Walsh was industrious and put plenty of effort in during a solid Broncos defensive effort, he looked frustrated when his plays didn’t work. Walsh made his name in the game for his fast-feet, dazzling runs and effortless passing where the game seemed to slow down for him.

However, everything seems to be a battle at the moment as he looks to adapt to life with new halves pairing Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds. And in a classy insight into Walsh’s struggles, Warriors legend Johnson claimed the fullback shouldn’t shy away from the plays that have made him special.

Johnson, a 268-NRL game great, knows a little thing about bursting onto the NRL scene. The halfback debuted in 2011 and immediately became a star in the NRL having helped the Warriors to the NRL grand final. The next year he was already selected as the New Zealand halfback. Many doubted Johnson’s ability to translate his skills to halfback, but the dazzling New Zealander made the seamless switch and silenced the doubters.

And speaking on Fox Sports after the Friday night game, Johnson implored Walsh to exude the confidence that has made him unique in the game and for Reynolds and Hunt to allow him to do it. “It can be a dangerous place to go. When you come into the league, burst onto the scene with this X-factor….I don’t know if we should be asking Walsh to go away from that,” Johnson said of all the advice that is coming the fullback’s way. Not when you have the the likes of Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds there controlling the tempo. You need to diversify that and he can do that.”

Johnson felt maybe the youngster was still dealing with the all the pressure that comes with a poor game, which saw him inundated with advice heading into the Cowboys clash. “Reece is finding himself. Maybe it is off the back of what happened in Canberra last week?” Johnson added.

“He had so much information thrown at him during the week you can go into the game a little bit clouded. When he was at his best tonight he didn’t hesitate.”