Slater backs Walsh to handle Origin pressure as Blues vow to target rookie

Queensland coach Billy Slater has reaffirmed his support for Reece Walsh and backed the rookie fullback to handle the pressure of an Origin debut as the Blues look to target him.

While Walsh ranks among the top five NRL players this season for try assists (13) and line break assists (14), he sits just behind Broncos and Queensland teammate Selwyn Cobbo for errors (21).

With Blues halfback Nathan Cleary expected to pepper Walsh with towering kicks, Slater was forced to answer questions at a joint press conference in Adelaide for rival Origin captains and coaches about how he would cope in Wednesday's series opener.

“Have you seen Reece Walsh play?” Slater responded when asked what had convinced him to select the rookie for the Adelaide Oval clash.

“He was picked two years ago to play for Queensland and he is a much better player right now.

"I'm sure that James [Tedesco] is watching him play and when you play that position, you watch things outside of what's front and centre of that position.

“He's got so much brilliance in his game and so much talent, involvement, his speed, but he's building a great foundation of that position and that's the core of what keeps you in good stead under pressure.

“I loved working with him throughout the week, he's a great young man.

“He’s very enthusiastic about his footy, he really enjoys his footy and he wants to become the best player that he can possibly be."

However, Blues coach Brad Fittler didn't shy away from questions about whether his side would target Walsh.

“Any fullback, you need to put under the pressure, they're isolated at the back and that's part of the game today,” Fittler said. “Daly [Cherry-Evans] will be doing the same with his kicks to our fullback.

“When you look at what he's done for Brisbane and the brilliance he does bring, you've got to watch him everywhere. He's left, right, through the middle … [he’s] a pretty fit bloke who's in the game a lot.

“But it's his first game and, you know, that's important, so we need to make sure that he understands it's a step up.

“We’ll be trying to do that by holding the ball and giving him some kicks to chase and just doing what we do with any fullback.”

Slater however, was unconcerned about Walsh’s error rate, trusting the work he had done in training to prepare for the match.

“We all make mistakes,” Slater said. “I've made a few of my time, I'll probably make a few in the future too.

“Now, I'm looking forward to seeing him play out there in a maroon jersey.”

While Walsh will be Queensland’s only debutant for the series opener, the Maroons will also field a relatively inexperienced pack, with one gamer Thomas Flegler stepping in for retired prop Josh Papali’i.

“Obviously big Papa has been a real warrior for Queensland for a decade now and they're big shoes to fill, but, we're really healthy in that position,” Slater said.

“Both Reuben [Cotter] and Fleg have done a great job for Queensland in the past.

“They've really performed well, and they've earnt their opportunity where they're at, and so we’re really comfortable with the middle forwards that we have.

“Flegler was involved in all three camps for us last year and never got the opportunity to play, so I think he's really earnt it. I think he's a better player this year than he was last year.

“He's more rounded and, and I know Payne [Haas] and Patty [Carrigan] get a lot of wraps at the Broncos, and rightfully so, but Fleg's been doing a fantastic job for the Broncos as well, so he's really earnt his opportunity to play for Queensland.”