England have many goals to achieve on Saturday if they are to level the Ashes series against Australia, but there is one bigger than most. That’s what stops the enigma that is Reece Walsh.
The 23-year-old has become a household name among rugby league fans and has firmly established himself as a player on the biggest stage with his performance in the NRL Grand Final, bringing home glory to the Brisbane Broncos.
It was truly a performance that the Australian media considered the best ever in a grand final.
This earned him his first Australian call-up, and then some on debut, leading the Kangaroos to a 26-6 win in the Ashes opener at Wembley and leaving England licking their wounds.
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Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh scored a stunning try against the Dolphins after running the full length of the field.
It was in the second half that Walsh was particularly electric, pummeling England’s shaky defensive line and sealing it off from the 41st minute, leaving the Australian squad gathered at Wembley screaming in awe of what they were seeing.
England knew they were up against star talent, but Walsh was the man who embodied the gulf between the two teams. His flying finish on his opening attempt, combined with brilliant footwork on his second, showed that he was something special.
Not only that, Walsh stood up defensively and broke down a pass between Jack Welsby and Herbie Farnworth and then blocked Jake Wardle’s pass from what looked like a clear attempt for the hosts.
It’s a moment that has England coach Sean Wayne scratching his head.
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England rugby league manager Shaun Wane reflects on the Ashes’ first Test loss to Australia.
“We did that in the first Test too and it didn’t work out. He’s a class player, there’s no doubt about it,” Wane said.
“They have a lot of high-quality players in their team, but he is special.
“The way he stopped our try, he took a complete risk but our execution needs to be better. In international rugby you don’t get many opportunities to score and we missed a few as well so all the credit went to him and he put himself in a position to stop us scoring.”
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Australia’s Nathan Cleary reacts to being ahead 1-0 in the rugby league Ashes series against England.
That defensive intent has also earned praise from team-mates, with Nathan Cleary claiming this is an area that has seen vast improvement from his “monster” of a player.
“He’s definitely improved and worked on it defensively, and I think he’s realized how important defense is, especially in big games,” Cleary said.
“This is why my respect for him has skyrocketed. We all know about his attack, but his defense has improved a lot. He is working on communication. He talks to me a lot and is always very happy to participate in the game. This is his strength.”
“But sometimes you have to calm him down a little bit. But that’s his strength, so you have to let him go and let him do his thing. He’s certainly not too shy on the big stages – Origins, Grand Finals and now Test level. It’s no surprise he performed the way he did. It’s no surprise what he does.”
Walsh at Wembley: in pictures
Australia’s Reece Walsh opens the scoring at Wembley.
Photo: Bernard Platt/via SWpix.com – Rugby League – 2025 ABK Beer Rugby League Ashes – England v Australia – Wembley Stadium, London, England – Australia’s Reece Walsh attempts to score against England.
Walsh stood up in both attack and defense in his Kangaroo debut.
Walsh delighted fans with autographs.
Walsh took selfies with her adoring fans.
Reece Walsh took pictures with all the fans.
Walsh fielded a player of the match performance in the opening Ashes Test.
England’s mission: to turn magic into fantasy.
But a household name is about more than just a presence on the pitch. It’s about their presence that Walsh has in abundance.
Of course, any rugby league fan will remember Walsh’s infamous social media post where he went wild when he posted a video of himself drinking water from a toilet that turned out to be newly installed in his home.
“They think there’s a new form of recovery for muscle recovery. They think all you need is toilet water,” Walsh said in the video.
“Okay, just have a drink.”
Reece Walsh jokingly held a plastic toilet aloft after his team won the final.
This prompted the Broncos to quickly issue a statement saying, “The video represents a poor attempt at humor posted privately by Walsh. No one should take this video seriously or act on its advice.”
It may be embarrassing to some, but Walsh owned it by hoisting the tiny toilet aloft after his team won the grand final.
Walsh once again proved why he is popular by wandering around Wembley Stadium every weekend, signing autographs, taking pictures, and even shedding tears when meeting young fans.
He is both mystery and certainty. You’re sure he’ll perform, but you have no idea how he’ll perform. You’re sure he’s going to be amazing, but you don’t know what his party trick is.
Walsh always pulls a rabbit out of a hat. It is up to England to unravel the magician’s trick.
