NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters preview, Reece Walsh vs James Tedesco for Kangaroos fullback jersey, stats

This is each a group and a star fullback which have been on the prime of the mountain for therefore lengthy now, that it appears arduous to consider the Roosters wouldn’t be assured a finals berth by this level of the season.

Yet right here we’re, with the Roosters sitting in twelfth place and simply forward of the NRL’s latest franchise the Dolphins after a clunky opening to the season.

Crucially although, Trent Robinson’s aspect are simply two factors behind the Eels and Rabbitohs — two different premiership powerhouses who’ve been on the slide as of late.

With all of that in thoughts, each Tedesco and the Roosters have one other alternative on Thursday to but once more show the previous adage that kind is momentary whereas class is everlasting.

Although on this case, possibly each issues may be true?

Maybe Tedesco can nonetheless be one of many best to play the sport at fullback whereas additionally being the topic of reputable criticism surrounding his effectiveness, significantly within the crimson zone?

And within the case of Walsh, certain it’s only early and he doesn’t have something close to the identical resume that Tedesco has. But how can he construct that resume with out the possibility so as to add to it?

That was the query posed to Josh Reynolds and Reed Mahoney on Tuesday night time’s episode of ‘NRL 360’, with the pair requested if Walsh is on the verge of taking on Tedesco’s mantle as the very best fullback within the sport and if it might see him problem for the incumbent’s Kangaroos jersey.

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“It’s a big call,” Reynolds mentioned.

“Reece Walsh is in superior form, honestly. The way he plays, every time he gets the ball out the back he beats the three men without even trying. I’ve never honestly seen it before, how he can just get directly out of centre.”

But because the not too long ago retired playmaker identified, all of the flashy stuff that used to outline Walsh’s sport is not the muse of the 21-year-old’s success.

Sure, it might nonetheless command the spotlight reels however Walsh has additionally began to make a distinction with out the ball in hand in proof of his maturation as a footballer.

“You know what I’ve really liked about his game is that he’s built it on defensive acts too [like] saving tries and I don’t think that comes naturally to him,” mentioned Reynolds.

“So, he’s worked on it. But for me, Teddy’s had sustained success for such a long time. He is catching him but I’m a big Teddy fan.”

“I feel like at the moment Reece Walsh is, in terms of fullbacks in the game, he’s probably the most consistent… but overall I can’t go past Teddy,” added Mahoney.

“He’s done everything in the game.”

Now, after all, an argument may be made that Penrith’s Dylan Edwards deserves to be a part of that dialogue at a minimal when contemplating each his latest and sustained kind since 2020.

Latrell Mitchell can be among the many sport’s most harmful fullbacks when match whereas few gamers have as large an influence on their group’s assault as Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has been sidelined for all of this season after struggling a fractured kneecap in Round 18 final yr, was additionally within the dialogue earlier than his damage.

And if you happen to had been going off present kind alone, there aren’t any higher fullbacks proper now than North Queensland’s Scott Drinkwater.

But within the context of Thursday’s sport, it gives an fascinating flashpoint in each Walsh and Tedesco’s careers after Cameron Munster admitted the previous might quickly be pushing for the Kangaroos’ fullback jumper.

“He’s a confident kid, a freakish talent and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s knocking on the door for an Australian jersey in the next year or so,” Munster, Walsh’s Queensland teammate, instructed The Sydney Morning Herald final month.

“It will be a good battle between him and Teddy. He’ll be the fullback for Australia and Queensland for a long time if he wants it.”

Walsh has actually been in tremendous kind this yr, averaging the second-most attempt assists (1.3), fourth-most linebreak assists (1.6) and fifth-most complete attempt involvements (1.9) per sport amongst fullbacks.

The 21-year-old nonetheless has loads of maturing to do as a participant, one thing which hardly comes as a shock given his age, though the way in which he responded to his latest suspension mentioned lots.

Walsh returned from the four-game stint on the sideline with one attempt, two attempt assists, six deal with busts and 175 run metres to assist encourage Brisbane to an enormous win over South Sydney.

With it, Walsh mixed with Adam Reynolds to hitch Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford (2016) as the one two Broncos to register 20-plus attempt assists in the identical season since these numbers had been first recorded in 1999.

Tedesco although is coming off his greatest sport of the season, placing the eventful Origin interval behind him to star in opposition to the Titans with a attempt, two attempt assists, 213 run metres and 5 deal with busts.

While Tedesco’s decision-making and ball-playing contained in the crimson zone has stifled the Roosters at occasions, that can be partly a product of the group’s struggles in assault as a complete.

What can’t be questioned although is Tedesco’s superior help play and ending, with the 30-year-old having now scored seven tries in his previous six video games after beginning the season with only one in 9.

The pair’s latest kind units up an enchanting match-up at Suncorp Stadium, one which Broncos coach Kevin Walters believes will carry the very best out of his younger fullback.

“I know it’s a team sport rugby league but you like to match yourself against the best and that’s what Reece is doing,” Walters mentioned.

“It’s a great challenge for him tomorrow night to be at his best, so we’re going to need every bit of Walshy’s skill against the Roosters.”

Roosters playmaker Luke Keary, in the meantime, instructed reporters there isn’t any easy method of stopping Walsh and that as an alternative the group would concentrate on limiting the effectiveness of his touches.

“He’s had a really good season and really good Origin series too,” Keary mentioned.

“You can see he’s got a lot of speed and power. We’ve got a big job on our hands on Thursday with him. With those really good fullbacks, sometimes you can’t really stop them. “You’ve just got to try and limit them as best you can and we’ll be doing the best we can with Reece.”

WHAT DO THE STATS SAY? BREAKING DOWN TEDESCO VS WALSH

TEDESCO