LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Queensland Rugby League coach Billy Slater has come out swinging, accusing New South Wales players of targeting star fullback Reece Walsh off the ball in the Origin decider.
Slater, a former Maroons legend, didn't hold back in his criticism of the officials, suggesting they need to take a closer look at the treatment Walsh received during the game at Suncorp Stadium.
Walsh, who has had a rough season with injuries, including a facial fracture earlier in the year, was once again in the firing line as he copped some rough treatment from the Blues.
Slater, known for his attacking prowess on the field, didn't mince his words, stating that Walsh was "certainly getting hit a fair bit without the footy" during the match.
"It's State of Origin, mate.
It's tough out there and I know what it's like to cop a few hits off the ball," Slater said in true Aussie fashion.
"Reece is a tough young bloke and he'll bounce back from this."
Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans, who has also felt the heat of Origin battles in the past, backed up his coach's claims, noting that the rough treatment Walsh received was par for the course in such a high-intensity game.
"It's a tough sport, mate.
You've got to expect a few bumps and bruises along the way," Cherry-Evans said, using a classic sporting cliche to describe the physical nature of Rugby League.
"Reece will learn from this experience and come back even stronger in the next game."
Slater and Cherry-Evans' comments have sparked debate among fans and experts alike, with some questioning the tactics employed by the Blues in targeting Walsh.
As the Rugby League season heats up, all eyes will be on how the young fullback responds to the pressure and physicality of the game.