Warriors wunderkind Reece Walsh has declared himself a bona fide Australian who wants to play for Queensland despite the advances of Kiwis coach Michael Maguire.
The 18-year-old, who has both Māori and Indigenous Australian heritage, debunked Wikipedia's claim that he was born in Sydney and confirmed he came into the world on the Gold Coast.
After Walsh shredded Maguire's Wests Tigers in round 11, scoring a try and setting up three more in a 30-26 win, the New Zealand mentor sought out the whizz-kid in the opposition changerooms.
"He did say to me in there, 'Mate, Kiwis, what do you want to do?' I said, 'I'm an Aussie'," the fullback said post-match at Gosford. "It's the highest level and it's what I want to push for later in my career."
While Walsh's father was born in Sydney - which might be where the Wikipedia confusion stems from - the free-wheeling talent made it clear that he's got maroon blood coursing through his veins.
Cowboys v Warriors - Round 12
"I was born in Queensland, I love Queensland and it's a dream of mine to one day play for Queensland," he said.
"I played for Australian Schoolboys [2019] and I feel like Queensland and Australia are the highest level ... I've represented Queensland twice now [under-16s and 18s] and I love being around it.
"I lived in Nerang my whole life, played for Nerang and moved up to Brissy to start pre-season [with the Broncos last summer]."
I was born in Queensland, I love Queensland and it's a dream of mine to one day play for Queensland
Reece Walsh
Only five games into his NRL career, Walsh has shown himself to be a player of rare ability. It begs the question - how did Brisbane allow him to sign with the Warriors until 2024 and leave mid-season?
Even Walsh thought he'd be a "Bronco for life".
"But that didn't work out and I'm here now and I'm fully invested into the Warriors. I'm loving it," he continued.
"I wanted to play first grade. Not saying I wanted to jump into it, but [Brisbane coach] Kevvie [Walters] ... just wanted to hold me back a little bit and had Jamayne [Isaako] there [at fullback].
"I sat down and spoke with Brownie [Nathan Brown at the Warriors]. He's a terrific coach and he's got a lot to give me.
"I wanted to learn as a player and grow as a player. I thought that was the best opportunity for me to grow as a player."
After his clinic against the Tigers, Brown said that Walsh would likely remain starting fullback - his preferred position - for Friday's clash with the resurgent Cowboys in Townsville.
In previous matches, Walsh had played five-eighth or come off the interchange and slotted in at fullback with selfless captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck volunteering to move to the wing.
Reece lightning: Walsh in everything against Wests Tigers
Brown was comfortable giving Walsh 80 minutes in the custodian's role in round 11 because of Tuivasa-Sheck's team-first attitude.
Walsh was humbled by the skipper's gesture.
"What he's done in the game - he's won a premiership, Dally M [Medal], Golden Boot," the teenager said.
"For him to do that, it makes me really feel special and want to go out there and do a job for him and the boys."
