Wayne Bennett backs Rabbitohs fullback to replace injured Reece Walsh if need arises
Broncos star Reece Walsh will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a fractured cheekbone and should he fail to make it in time for Origin I Wayne Bennett is backing Jye Gray to put in a strong performance if given a Queensland jersey.
Broncos officials confirmed on Sunday morning that Walsh, who was injured in Saturday night’s win over the Gold Coast, will undergo surgery.
Billy Slater will select the Maroons’ first team in six weeks, when Walsh is expected to return. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow played fullback for Queensland and could be the next choice, but Gray has been in irresistible form for Souths. Match one of the 2026 interstate series will be played in Sydney on May 27.
At the very least, Gray and his blistering speed make him a bona fide Maroons bench option.
“Obviously he’ll do it, he’s playing at a high level every week in the NRL; if you can play at the level he can play in the NRL, he can certainly play Origin,” Bennett said.
“Origin is an extension of what they already do, they just need to be a little faster and more skilled, but Jye answers that question every week.
“He can do that if he’s elected.”
While Slater is spoiled for choice at full-back, so is his NSW counterpart Laurie Daley when it comes to his options at centre-back.
At just 19 years old, Casey McLean is doing his best to frame himself with Penrith’s outstanding performances.
Daley had such a positive view of McLean that he picked up the phone last year to see if he wanted to play for the Blues if the NRL changed their international eligibility rules, and they have done so ever since.
He said of McLean in this article last month: “I like his defence, I like the way he carries the ball strongly and even though he’s still young, he’s not afraid of anything – I think he’s a great actor.”
McLean has improved even more since then; He twice beat Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes in an excellent individual try and showed the pace to close the gap before sending Tom Jenkins over for the first try. friday night.
McLean was a standout player in New Zealand at the end of last year but is equally keen to represent the state where he grew up.
Latrell Mitchell is South Sydney’s incumbent and is also in great form, but another center option, Stephen Crichton, is currently rehabbing a shoulder injury.
McLean stated that he plays equally comfortably at right center and on the wing.
When McLean first chose New Zealand over NSW, he said: “I wanted to represent my family and where I’m from.”
“It’s a big factor in why I’ve been playing this game for so long.
“I wanted to wear the black jersey and represent where my family is. [Shannon and Willie] It comes as a way to give back to them.
“If the opportunity comes [to play for NSW]I would take it with both hands.
