Recalled Walker wants more than one-off Origin return

Recalled NSW playmaker Cody Walker is determined to ensure his return to the Blues line-up won't be a one-off occasion after watching the past two Origin series in his loungeroom. 

Walker is one of seven changes made by Blues coach Brad Fittler for Game Three in Sydney with the NSW side looking to avoid their first series whitewash against the Maroons since 2010.

Walker, 33, was last part of Fittler's side in 2020, conceded he thought his Origin career might've been over before his second recall came on Sunday night.

He will now play his fifth Origin game at Accor Stadium, where he will look to combine with Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses in a combination that last played together during a Prime Minister's XIII clash in Fiji in 2019.

"There were times when I did think it had sailed," Walker said of his Origin recall in NSW camp on Tuesday.

I know I've got a wonderful opportunity to go out there and showcase my skills in one of the biggest arenas there is.

Cody Walker

“I don’t think I was playing the greatest footy at the start of last year to warrant selection. I completely understood the direction in what way that 'Freddy' was thinking because they’d also won it the year before.

“I haven't played all my greatest footy in the sky blue jersey so it's a chance for me to right those wrongs and play some decent footy.

"That's any goal of any player coming into the rep scene, they want to be in it for as long as they can.

"I try not to reflect on things that happened in the past because you get comfortable and not worry about what's at stake and what's in front of you.

"I'm certainly no different, I understand the opportunity in front of me is quite big, so I am going to grab it with both hands."

Many believe Walker is back in career-best form with Fittler indicating the Rabbitohs veteran was close to playing in Origin I before Jarome Luai did enough to reclaim the Blues five-eighth role over him.

A change in Walker's behaviour on the field at Souths has also played a part in his form turnaround after he was forced to mature with young halfback Lachlan Ilias taking over from Adam Reynolds at the club in 2022.

"I'm not getting as angry (as I used to)," Walker said with a grin.

"It’s something I’ve worked on over the last couple of years and I’ve probably improved it in little areas of my game, but it probably wasn’t as consistent.

“There would be different times when I'd lose my sh*t, as people would say, but this year I really focused on what I need to do to get out of the headspace or what my team needs in that particular time.

"I understand my role in the team as being a senior playmaker in the team and that calm head. I think I've been doing it pretty well. There are probably two games I think I've let my head get the better of me this year.

"But I'm not the perfect player or perfect person. I'm always learning and trying to improve areas of my game. That's understandable to dip in and out of that.

"It's how I turn it around and bounce back from that and not stay in that head space for too long."

Fittler said Walker's inclusion over Luai was simply because the side "haven't scored tries" during their 2-0 series loss.

“The execution hasn’t been that fantastic and if you look at the way that Cody has been playing, he’s been thought about the whole time before he got injured," Fittler said.

"His execution has been as good as anyone’s in the game. We just need to score more tries.

"He was a strong consideration for Game One. He’s been in great form and he’s been in great form for years.”