Walker's on: The moment playmaker proved he was destined for Origin arena
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Michael Ennis had heard the whispers north of the border.
A 16-year-old kid dubbed the next Allan Langer had been selected in the Queensland Under 18 team.
It was high praise for a teenager still in school and left Ennis wondering 'how good could this kid really be?'
As coach of the NSW Under 18 side in 2019, the former Blues hooker didn't have to wait long for an answer.
The kid's name was Sam Walker and he showed what all the hype was about when he led the Maroons to a dominant victory over the Blues.
"I watched a fair bit of tape on him going into that game," Ennis told NRL.com. "He possessed a lot of attacking weapons and had this incredible instinct and ability to see things and back himself.
"Watching Sam back then, he had this unique attacking style. The game was starting to come out of a deep period of structure. He floated a little bit between structure and ad-lib instinctive footy. With the way the game's changed it's given Sam the freedom to unlock the raw talent he has."
Running on to Suncorp Stadium in the Queensland No.7 jumper seven years ago, Walker gave fans a glimpse into the future.
Match Highlights: U18 Maroons v U18 Blues
The playmaker pulled the strings as a talent-laden Maroons side kicked clear late to secure a 34-12 victory over Ennis' Blues.
For Queenslanders, it was a clear sign the state's pipeline of star halfbacks was in full operation. For NSW supporters still scarred by the historic reign of Lockyer, Thurston and Cronk, it was an early warning of the nightmare to come.
Seven years on and that fear is starting to come to fruition.
Walker has transitioned to the senior Origin arena with ease. The young playmaker impressed on debut in Game One before claiming man of the match honours as Queensland levelled the series at the MCG.
Sam Walker named Player of the Match
The victory set up Wednesday night's decider and what Maroons fans hope will be Walker's triumphant homecoming. Should Queensland win, it is highly likely the youngster will be awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.
The match mark's the halfback's first senior Origin game at Suncorp Stadium. For those watching seven years ago, his ability to deliver on the big stage comes as no surprise.
"He came into camp with a real belief in himself," Queensland Under 18 coach Kurt Richards told NRL.com. "As the camp built through the week the players around him started to see the confidence he had and their confidence grew as well.
"By the time the game came around, he knew what he had to do.
"Anyone who saw him play that night knew what kind of player he was and that he had a bright future ahead. He was pretty mature for a young player with the way he could manage a game.
"He was a threat with the football, his running game was outstanding and he would get on both sides of the ruck. A lot of halves just sit on one side but he was all over the park and getting the right players the ball while also being a run threat himself."
The son of former Bronco Ben Walker, and nephew of Shane and Chris Walker, there was plenty of buzz as Sam progressed through the Brisbane rugby league pathway.
The youngster's Origin under 18 performance came amid a signing frenzy as a host of NRL and rugby union clubs jostled for the teenager's signature.
Ultimately the Roosters prevailed and set him on a rapid path to success.
Walker made his NRL debut as an 18-year-old in 2021 and was carefully nurtured during the early years of his career.
Robinson pleased with foundations of Walker's debut
His club and state are reaping the rewards today. The halfback played his 100th NRL match a couple of weeks ago and has taken charge of a Roosters side on track to compete for this year's premiership.
"You can see he's adapting his game to play a bit more structure as he's gotten older," Richards said. "At the same time, you can't take away his strengths, which is getting his eyes up and playing what's in front of him.
"I have no doubt that was taught by his family. As he was growing up, running around training with his dad and dad's brothers, I'm sure that's where he picked it up."
Ennis has been just as impressed with Walker's progression, particularly this season with Daly Cherry-Evans' arrival to the club.
"The resilience he's shown to come out of a long-term knee injury and perform the way he has is a credit to him," Ennis said.
"Then the balance between him and Daly Cherry-Evans, the confidence of Sam to step up and run the Roosters footy side, it's not an easy task and he's doing a hell of a job."
One glance at the Queensland Under 18 team from 2019 and it quickly becomes clear what the Blues were up against.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow started at fullback with Xavier Coates on the wing. Trent Loiero and Brendan Piakura were in the back-row, with Jake Simpkin at hooker. A 16-year-old Reece Walsh came off the bench and swung the game in his state's favour, while Jack Howarth was also injected off the interchange.
In total, five members of that side have gone on to represent the senior Maroons, while Howarth has featured in multiple squads and will likely make it six at some point in the future.
It was an experience Walker credits for setting him on the path to Wednesday's Origin decider.
"It was an awesome experience for me," Walker said.
"I remember getting into camp and experiencing representing Queensland for the first time. You don't know it at the time, but it's pretty cool to be able to look back and see so many of those players on the team playing Origin now or at least playing in the NRL.
"We have pretty much half our team who have gone on and played in the NRL, so it's a good pathway for getting to higher levels of football."
The NSW side featured Ben Trbojevic, Tyrell Sloan and Kaeo Weekes, among a host of others to have progressed to the NRL. Just one player, however, has gone on to play for the senior Blues side.
Bradman Best lined up at fullback for the Under 18 team but will start in the centres in Wednesday's decider.
An instant Origin classic
The 24-year-old will defend on the same side of the field as Walker and is looking to send plenty of traffic through the halfback's channel.
"I remember that night, he was one of the big names for them back then," Best said. "They had a great team and it's exciting to see him do his thing now and going up against him again.
"I don't think anyone would have predicted him to do what he's doing now, we were that young but good on him."
Walker shines on debut
Having watched Walker dominate in the Origin arena back in 2019, Ennis is not surprised by the playmaker's emergence as a rugby league superstar.
Blues fans have spent the past six weeks wondering how to stop the unorthodox playmaker with one of the best short kicking games in the league.
Ennis thinks he has an answer, though it's easier said than done.
"You have to make him tackle, make sure you're controlling the footy and not inviting Sam down to attack inside your own half," Ennis said. "He's lethal down there.
"It's making sure you make him work defensively, kicking in behind his edge, make him get deep inside his own half and limit those opportunities.
"Defensively, you have to get forward and take his time away. You need to do that as a line. From such a young age he's felt space so well. If he spots triangles defensively, if a bloke pulls out of the line to shut him down, he has an instinct to play short and target those vulnerabilities. At the same time, if the winger dares to come infield and compress the defensive line, both Sam and Cam Munster can kick over the top of you to their winger.
"You have to be on alert the whole time, you can't relax. He's not the type of half that will spend 80 minutes sitting behind the pack, kicking to the corner. What makes him so good to watch is he's willing to try things, back his skill and ability."
Don't miss a minute of the action when Queensland and NSW collide in an epic State of Origin decider. Live on Channel 9, 9Now and Watch NRL, Wednesday July 8.
