Gun teen star Reece Walsh is set to quit the Warriors and return to Brisbane in a bombshell move that could shake the NRL.
Last season’s rookie of the year was released by the Broncos midway through last year so that he could make the move to the New Zealand side.
The 19-year-old was contracted to the Warriors until the end of next season with an option to extend until 2024 but had asked to leave the club and return to Brisbane on compassionate grounds.
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Channel Nine reported that Walsh recently split from his partner and was hoping to stay in Queensland to be close to his daughter.
New Zealand had just returned across the Tasman for their first home game in two years against the Wests Tigers over the weekend.
The side had relocated to Redcliffe lat last year in order to continue playing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Warriors CEO Cameron George released a statement, saying: “There’s discussions with the Broncos about alternatives as well in terms of potentially other players that they’ve got that we can look at in with the release of Reece Walsh.
“There has been a major change in Reece’s personal circumstances in the past two months which have impacted on his ability to move to Auckland with the club next season.
“We’re working through his situation and have given him permission, with some conditions, to look at options in Brisbane. It’s not the way either Reece or the club had wanted this to play out but we respect the issues he has.”
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The club are reportedly looking for a trade option with Brisbane, meanwhile, Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will sign with the Warriors on a three-year deal.
Major developments for the entire NRL.
The move from Walsh indicates a huge backflip from the Southport-born teenager who had rejected any such reports of him switching from New Zealand as recently as May.
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He said: “At first I sort of laughed about it and would ask the boys, ‘where do you think they get this information from?’ because it definitely isn’t coming from me or my management or my family.
“After a while, it became too much, there were questions from my teammates.
“It’s got to the point where it’s worth addressing because it’s spiralling out of control.
“It’s not fair on my teammates or the club that they think I am wanting to go elsewhere. It’s not the case. We haven’t spoken to any other clubs.
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“I have a contract in place which means I am 100 per cent going to New Zealand next year.”
The recent move back to New Zealand away from family seemingly changed his mind.
Topics: NRL, Rugby League, Australia, New Zealand
Jayden Collins