This article originally appeared on stuff.co.nz and is reproduced with permission
Teenage Warriors sensation Reece Walsh is “100 per cent going to New Zealand next year”.
The Warriors fullback has broken his silence on the constant speculation he will stay in Australia next season and link with expansion club the Redcliffe Dolphins or return to the Brisbane Broncos.
In what will be some of the best words Warriors fans have ever read, Walsh says he remains committed to the club and moving to New Zealand for the 2023 season.
Walsh has remained silent on the rumours and media speculation that he did not want to move his young family to New Zealand at the end of the year, for several months, but has told Fox Sports he felt the need to speak out for the benefit of his teammates.
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“It’s not fair on my teammates or the club that they think I am wanting to go elsewhere,” Walsh told Fox Sports. “It’s not the case – we haven’t spoken to any other clubs, I have a contract in place which means I am 100 per cent going to New Zealand next year.”
Walsh was happy to ignore the speculation for a time, despite Warriors chief executive Cameron George coming out swinging over the claims, but now feels it’s gone too far.
“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.
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“It’s got to the point where it’s worth addressing because it’s spiralling out of control,” Walsh told Fox Sports.
Walsh has said if it wasn’t for COVID-19 he would have been living in New Zealand this year anyway and he believes the shift across the Tasman is an exciting growth opportunity.
The Warriors are into their third season of being based in Australia but will return to Auckland at the start of the 2023 pre-season.
His manager, Nash Dawson, denies speaking to any other club and told Fox Sports Walsh was an exciting young player and that means his future will always be a contentious topic of discussion.
Walsh has a player option in his favour for 2024 but Dawson has said there was no rush to look past next season, at this stage.
The 2023 roster at the Warriors is beginning to take shape with the signing of teenage halfback Ronald Volkman and Tuesday’s retirement of Ash Taylor.
Walsh confirming he will stick loyal to the Warriors is yet another blow for Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett who is yet to land a marquee player for his backline in the club’s inaugural season.
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