Reece Walsh cops backlash over 'awful' NRL scenes as James Tedesco makes Origin statement

The two Origin fullbacks went head-to-head on Friday night and one star had a horror display.

Incumbent Kangaroos fullback James Tedesco has handed Reece Walsh a brutal wake up call after the Roosters No.1 put in his best display of the year in the 40-18 thrashing. The Roosters continue to deliver blockbuster displays in the NRL having followed up their drubbing of the Dragons to put 40 points past the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

And the battle of the Origin fullbacks was in full display with veteran Tedesco outshining Walsh after the Broncos No.1 had a game to forget on the big stage. Walsh is all but certain to retain his fullback position for the Maroons this year - with Tedesco fighting to keep his jersey - but in one of the biggest NRL games this year the youngster made four errors and looked rushed as he tried to force his hand.

Reece Walsh (pictured) has been handed a wake up call by incumbent Kangaroos fullback James Tedesco after a poor game against the Roosters. (Images: NRL.com.au/Getty Images)
Reece Walsh (pictured) has been handed a wake up call by incumbent Kangaroos fullback James Tedesco after a poor game against the Roosters. (Images: NRL.com.au/Getty Images)

Walsh is arguably the most electric attacking fullback in the game at only 21 years old. He has scored eight tries in seven games this year and was at his best last week. But his game has always produced a number of errors as he plays at breathtaking speed. And unfortunately for the Broncos, Walsh attempted to push the action too much against the Roosters when they were trying to get back into the game.

With the Broncos trailing, Walsh tried to push the pass a few times and one moment saw the fullback lose the ball as he was tackled. The Roosters scooped up the ball and after Joseph Suaalii made a break down the sideline he turned it back on the inside as Angus Crichton scored the first of his two tries.

Walsh finished with four errors for the game and was completely overshadowed up against his rival who is 10 years his senior. Tedesco was immense for the resurgent Roosters having delivered two try assists, two line breaks, nine tackle breaks and ran for 260 metres.

While there were calls for Joey Manu to take the No.1 jersey, Tedesco has replied with two emphatic performances in two weeks. And after Dylan Edwards staked his claim for the Blues jersey against the Rabbitohs on Thursday night, Tedesco showed once again why he is still considered by many as one of the best fullbacks in the game.

There might be calls for Tedesco to be replaced after losing to the Maroons in back-to-back series. Yet the incumbent Blues No.1 continues to deliver all encompassing displays when counted out. And while Walsh was slammed for a 'selfish' display against the Roosters where he tried to take too much happen, Tedesco was lauded for once again nailing the little things with 100 per cent energy throughout the contest.

While the Roosters ran away with the victory, with injuries of their own, the Broncos were dealt two huge blows during the match. Winger Jesse Arthars left the first-half and didn't return after suffering what appeared to be a broken jaw after a collision. Then Reynolds left the field in serious pain in his left arm after the 46th minute when he tackled winger Fetalaiga Pauga.

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And it was confirmed Reynolds tore his bicep and is facing at least three months on the sidelines in a huge blow for the club's premiership chances. "Adam has got a torn biceps. He will have surgery and will be out for an extended period I would have thought," Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

"Jesse Arthars has broken his jaw, so they are two long-term injuries." Roosters coach Trent Robinson was thrilled with his team's performance. "I thought our resilience was really good for the first half. Possession was against us, but we worked really hard and then I felt like the guys were running really well," Robinson said. "I really liked the balance between the hardness that we played with but then also the freedom."

Reece Walsh runs the ball.
Reece Walsh (pictured) endured a tough night against the Roosters in arguably his worse game of the season.