Australia’s fullback Reece Walsh has praised rival No. 1 James Tedesco for helping him prepare for an outstanding comeback in the green and gold on Thursday night.
Walsh also confirmed he was prepared to pay “top dollar” to visit any specialist who could help prevent him from vomiting in the middle of games, like he did again after scoring a breathtaking try to help seal Australia’s opening World Cup match with a 24-22 win over New Zealand.
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters took a punt on starting Walsh at fullback at Allianz Stadium ahead of Tedesco, who only a week earlier clinched the Clive Churchill Medal in the Roosters’ premiership win.
Walters confirmed after the win Tedesco would return against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday, and he wanted to make sure he was rested after a busy NRL finals campaign.
Walsh was glad he could lean on Tedesco during the week. “He was massive, and when he found out [I was starting], he congratulated me,” the Bronco said.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘whatever you need to prepare for the week, or [whatever] I can help you with, I will’.
“The way he handled it, for myself, being so young, to see an ultra competitor like that ... if I can take anything away from the way he handled it, he was massive for me.
“Every session he was there giving me tips. We bounced back and forth about what I can work on at training, and he was there answering questions.
“He kept grabbing me and asking, ‘do you need anything?’.
“I can’t wait to see him get his opportunity. We all know Teddy, he will take it [his opportunity].
“We’ll keep fighting putting our best foot forward for each other, for this team and this country.”
Should Walsh and Tedesco stay fit, Walters has a selection headache at the back end of the Cup.
Walsh denied Kalyn Ponga a try late in the first half with a terrific defensive read, then came up with a magical play in supporting winger Jack Bostock, then simultaneously evaded Ponga and Jahrome Hughes before running 60m to score.
If Ponga’s early try when he beat Walsh was a highlight, Walsh’s effort was better. TV cameras then captured Walsh vomiting, which forced him to miss the goal attempt.
Walters joked afterwards how Walsh was a noted “chucker” most weeks in clubland.
“I’ve been doing that since I was about 12 years old,” Walsh said.
“I don’t know what it is. Every time I do a big run ... I took my mouthguard out mid-game because I knew if that was in my mouth, I was going to gag. And once I start doing that and pause, it’s game over.
“I don’t know if it’s nerves, or the aerobic [fitness], or [something to do] with sports science. If anyone out there can help me, I’ll pay top dollar.”
Walsh had not played in two months because of an ankle injury.
Tedesco celebrated with Walsh in the sheds, as did a couple of departing Roosters, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Half Mitchell Moses suffered a cork to the outside of his right lower leg and was awaiting scans on Friday. Walters confirmed Sam Walker and Tom Dearden would start against Fiji, with Munster to be rested.
Because the Broncos had little success this season, Walsh had hoped to be given a bench spot at Suncorp Stadium next weekend so he could bring some joy to the Brisbane faithful.
Meanwhile, New Zealand officials remained hopeful Ponga would be back during the tournament after breaking his left forearm, and playing on almost 20 minutes with the pain.
The Kiwis host the Cook Islands next weekend in Christchurch, and lost no admirers with their performance against Australia, whose five tries came from two intercepts, two Bostock leaps, and Walsh’s tearaway brilliance.