Walsh v Ponga: How the most titanic of fullback battles vindicated Walters’ faith

It was a bold gamble by Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters to keep faith in Broncos fullback Reece Walsh at the expense of newly crowned Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco, despite the Queenslander not gracing the field for two months.

But in a titanic battle with New Zealand counterpart and Queensland Maroons teammate Kalyn Ponga, Walsh repaid that trust, and ensured his battle to become Australia’s premier No.1 would be enthralling.

“They’re both outstanding players, aren’t they? “Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo said.

“Kalyn’s shown over the last six or seven weeks how outstanding he has been for Newcastle, he pretty much carried them all the way.”

“[But] for Reece to come back, that’s a massive effort. To not play for eight weeks and in a contest like that, then come up with some of those plays, that’s really hard to do at this level.”

Walsh sought game-changing plays in his country’s 24-22 triumph to launch the Rugby League World Cup – and there were faults, including a drop-out that soared out on the full and was penalised. But he ultimately proved the difference when he produced moments few other players, if any, could replicate.

Tedesco, unsighted in the green and gold jumper since 2023, was coming off setting an NRL running metres record (388) as he captained the Roosters to grand final glory against Ponga’s Knights.

But Walsh, who had not played since the round 24 loss to the Warriors due to a syndesmosis injury, had Walters’ trust, after his starring role in Australia’s 3-0 Ashes clean sweep last year on the back of his own Clive Churchill heroics.

Early on in Thursday’s game, it appeared to be Ponga’s night.

As the Kiwi forward pack dominated the territory battle (64 per cent), the Test debutant broke the game open, before being forced off after 70 minutes with a feared arm fracture.

Towards the end of a first-half in which Ponga had threatened with each touch, and Walsh had been limited to struggling out of his back field, fans at last got to see the pair go hammer and tong.

Ponga broke through the line and appeared destined to score, until Walsh pulled off one of the try-saving tackles of the year to force his counterpart into touch and keep Australia ahead 10-8.

“That try-saver that he did was equal to anything he could do in attack,” Walters said.

Yeo added: “We all know what he can do with the ball, but even his [communication] around our defence on the goal line, we had to absorb a lot and made it really hard on ourselves in that first-half, but he was really good for us.”

As polarising as Walsh’s antics have been for his rocks or diamonds approach, his defence has garnered the praise of his Broncos coach, Michael Maguire.

His 83.53 per cent tackle efficiency this year is significantly better than at any point of his rugby league career.

Ponga would be quick to get his revenge coming out of the sheds, with his support play to latch onto Isaiah Papali’i’s offload inspiring his first try in New Zealand colours. Disaster struck shortly after, as his forearm suffered the brunt of Cameron Munster’s head and left him in agony.

That did not stop the 28-year-old playing on for 20 minutes to score a second incredible individual try; slicing through the defensive line and producing an ankle-snapping step on Walsh to send the Kiwi spectators into hysterics.

“What a freak – what he did for Newcastle and how he played his footy in the last month, and then to come into this team and play off the back of what [the forwards] did … playing behind this forward pack, he felt really comfortable,” coach Stacey Jones said.

“I think [the Kangaroos] had scored a try, and that’s when we were told what it possibly was, and that’s when he had to come off. He’s disappointed, but there’s a bit of upbeat about him, too.

“He really wants to still be involved.”

New Zealand captain James Fisher-Harris added: “I thought [Ponga] did an outstanding job, just a freakish player but also one of those tough players.”

But from that try of individual brilliance, Walsh stood up.

First it was through a clutch sideline conversion after first-choice kicker Mitchell Moses was forced off with a leg injury. Jack Bostock had scored the second of his three tries in his maiden appearance for the Kangaroos, and Walsh’s goal levelled the score at 16-16.

Then, he truly turned it up: supporting a Bostock offload and bamboozling Ponga and Jahrome Hughes who collided with each other, before Walsh streaked away to score.

“He’s just got the ability to make people miss,” Yeo said. “I think he made two people miss on the one move, but he’s one of those players who can just break a game open, and we probably needed that.”

Where Tedesco’s consistency and relentless ball carrying has been lauded, Walsh’s tendency to constantly chase the killer blow has led to mistakes that have put his team under pressure.

But while Walters confirmed Tedesco would get his chance next Sunday against Fiji, Walsh proved he was a match-winner on the biggest stage. Perhaps nothing summed up his passion for representing Australia more than when tears welled in his eyes as the national anthem played.

“He’s just a proud Australian. Every kid growing up wants to play for Australia,” Walters said.

“He’s had three games over in the UK, and this was his first game here in front of his family and friends, and he’s an emotional fellow, which I really like about him.

“Not only did the emotion come out, but he ... backed that up with a really strong performance.”

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