Reece Walsh outpoints James Tedesco again amid Kangaroos fullback debate

Reece Walsh got the better of James Tedesco once again as the Broncos put a further dent in the Roosters' finals hopes on Thursday night. Walsh and Tedesco went head-to-head at club level for the first time since Queensland's triumph in the State of Origin series.

Walsh outperformed the NSW captain in the first two games as Queensland claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead, before Tedesco bounced back with a brilliant display in Game III while Walsh was out suspended. But Walsh once again outperformed Tedesco on Thursday night as the Broncos ran out 32-10 winners.

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Amid calls for Walsh to replace Tedesco as Kangaroos fullback, the 21-year-old had a try assist, line break, six tackle breaks and 73 running metres. He would have had a second try assist if not for an extraordinary passage of play that saw referee Grant Atkins impede Tyson Smoothy and prevent him scoring under the posts.

While not at his brilliant best, Walsh's performance only added fuel to the debate around the competition's best fullback. Speaking earlier this week, Queensland legend and Kangaroos selector Darren Lockyer said Walsh still has some way to go to displace Tedesco.

"There is no doubt Reece's time will come, but Tedesco is the incumbent Australian captain," he said. "We know [Walsh] is talented and has been able to play on the biggest stage at Origin and have an impact."

Lockyer went on to say: "I would say he is the most dangerous [fullback]... but the important games are starting to come up. This is where the cream floats to the top.

"This is the big test. He got into the Origin arena and he passed that. Now his next big test is the next six weeks and the finals."

Trent Robinson says Broncos can win the competition

Judging by Thursday night's display, Walsh will be the only one out of him and Tedesco playing in those big games in the finals. While the Broncos are flying high atop the ladder on 34 points at 15-5, the Roosters are now 8-11 and in 13th place on 22.

"We were well beaten. That was disappointing," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. "In these games against the top-four teams, we haven't been threatening and we haven't been able to score points."

Robinson declared the Broncos can win the competition and stop the Panthers winning their third-consecutive premiership. "Yes, definitely," he said.

"They have got a very athletic team and a guy (halfback Adam Reynolds) who pulls the strings through the kicking which is really important to them. They are staying in the game for longer periods. That was a real positive for them tonight and it has been this year so they are one of the few (teams) that has an opportunity (to win the title) at the moment."

Broncos coach Kevin Walters isn't getting carried away ahead of games against title contenders North Queensland, Parramatta, Canberra and Melbourne. "When I first took the job over (in 2021) I thought we could win the comp and we finished 14th," Walters said.

"There is a lot of work for us to do. I know we are not the complete side yet and the players know, but what is exciting about this group is that they are working really hard for each other. We have got some great talent.

"Our next four games are really important to us as a group to keep sending out a message, not to anyone else, but each other…that we are going to have a good crack at what's in front of us. It starts on Monday with our preparation for the Cowboys."

with AAP

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