The Broncos fullback has copped plenty of criticism for his form in 2025 and the latest blow hasn’t helped.
Reece Walsh has delivered the sad news for the Broncos and Queensland having ruled himself out of Origin as calls for Selwyn Cobbo to remain at fullback. Michael Maguire was hit with a tough setback after the loss to the Warriors with Walsh ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.
Walsh has faced plenty of criticism this year for his inconsistent form to start the season with his flashy moves often undone by some costly errors. His most recent effort saw him score and set-up a try for the Broncos to take them to golden point against the Warriors in New Zealand.
However, off the kick-off he kicked the ball of bounds to start golden point. This handed the Warriors a chance of winning the game with a penalty, which they did. Unfortunately for Walsh, he hurt his knee in the opening minute of the game for his team.
Walsh was initially ruled out of for up to four to six weeks, which put his participation for State of Origin Game 1 in doubt. And speaking at the launch of Magic Round, Walsh all but admitted he was a certainty to miss State of Origin with a new fullback to be selected in 2025.
“No, probably not the first Origin, but you never know how (the knee is) feeling,” he said of his chances of playing Game 1 for Billy Slater. “It’s holding up pretty well at the moment but hopefully I can get through the rehab and see how we go.
“It might be a couple more weeks. Injuries are frustrating. That’s what comes with playing our game, it’s tough and physical and I have to keep rolling with the punches.”
The admission is a blow for coach Billy Slater who has relied on Walsh across the last two series. However, Walsh wasn’t guaranteed to be selected this year in Origin with his form dipping and a number of rival stars putting their hand up.
Selwyn Cobbo challenges Reece Walsh for fullback
And in Walsh’s absence a Broncos star has stepped up. The Broncos raced in six tries in the first half against the Bulldogs with Cobbo playing at No.1. And fans couldn’t help but notice they were doing it all without their $5 million fullback Walsh. Cobbo may be in contact negotiations with the club with suggestions the Broncos won’t be able to offer him enough money to stay.
The winger could be pushed out of Maguire’s squad due to Walsh, Ezra Mam, Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas all taking up huge portions of the cap. Though Cobbo only proved he could be a $1 million a season star at any club having starred last week in the win over the Bulldogs.
Cobbo offered Maguire what he may have been missing in the last few weeks with the 22-year-old carrying the ball out of his own-half with some big runs. The fill-in fullback fits into Maguire’s style having used two big wingers and a metre-eater fullback for the Blues when he was NSW coach in 2024.
Cobbo has another chance to potentially stake his claim as the best fullback in the squad and Walsh knows he might have a fight on his hands when he returns to fullback. “I feel like having that healthy competition throughout the club is good. It is only going to push everybody to be their best,” he 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.”
The Broncos may have been hoping Cobbo would stay even if he has to take a smaller deal than he hoped. This does not appear to be the case though with Cobbo hinting he isn’t tied to the Broncos. “Cherbourg is not going to run away,” Cobbo said. “It’s always home. I love going back home when I can. Wherever I go, I can always go back home.”
