NSW have vowed to go after Reece Walsh and not ease up on the Queensland State of Origin star, with Liam Martin declaring physicality is simply part of football.

Knocked out by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s illegal high shot just seven minutes into Origin I, Walsh will play his first game in three weeks at the MCG next Wednesday.

Several Maroons and Brisbane Broncos figures have since insinuated that the Blues went too hard at Walsh, with little regard for the attacking weapon’s safety.

That prompted Blues coach Michael Maguire to fire a shot back at Queensland on Monday, accusing Maroons officials of living in glass houses.

Regardless, NSW say they won’t change a thing for Game II.

Walsh was hit hard by NSW’s chief antagonist Martin following the first kick of the game in Origin I, before being floored by Suaalii’s hit six minutes later.

And while NSW are adamant there was no intention to maim Walsh in Sydney, Martin says Queensland’s grumblings won’t change the way he or the Blues play.

“I treat it the exact same. It doesn’t change,” Martin said.

“He’s such a key for them so we’ll be going after him. We’re obviously not intentionally going there to hurt or injure him. 

“It’s part of the game. Nothing will change.”

Martin said it was a fine balance between trying to pressure Walsh and create doubt in his mind when he went to the line or kicked, and actually injuring him.

“It is a fine line because it’s a game of the barest margins,” Martin said. 

“If someone falls and you clip them high, otherwise it would’ve been a good shot.

“You try to be physical and, while accidents happen, you just try your best to not put yourself and others in those situations.

“I definitely wasn’t out there to hurt him (with my kick pressure) or anything like that. It’s just footy and you try to be physical.”

Martin claimed he hadn’t paid any attention to the claims from north of the border, which have included Brisbane coach Kevin Walters’ calling for the NRL to protect the fullback better.

“I’m sure they’re going after a few of our boys like we’re going after some of theirs,” Martin said. 

“It’s just footy … I hope he (Walsh) pulled up alright.”

NSW second-rower Angus Crichton also rejected Queensland’s claims on Tuesday, and made a point to defend his Sydney Roosters teammate Suaalii.

“You’ve got to pressure anyone. It’s wild that everyone’s trying to say that we were trying to injure him,” Crichton said.

“It was a split decision that Joey got wrong, I hope Reece has recovered well.

“That’s the sport, everyone has game plans where they figure out where they want to attack.”

Queensland spent Tuesday preparing for Walsh to again be roughed up by the Blues, but players distanced themselves from the suggestions that NSW had illegally targeted Walsh.

“I wouldn’t expect Marto to change what he does,” Broncos and Maroons lock Pat Carrigan said. 

“It is a physical game. That is just Marto and the way he plays. He is a competitor. He is one of the best back-rowers in the game.

“It’s all done now. I don’t think Joey meant to do that. Accidents happen in footy. It was an accident gone wrong. 

“Hopefully it doesn’t happen to him again for his health because it was not nice. When we play footy there is a risk that comes with that.”

Capable Capewell ready to step up

Versatile Kurt Capewell is ready to fill the “do anything, anywhere and anytime” role for Queensland after winning a recall to the State of Origin arena.

The 30-year-old Warriors second-rower debuted for the Maroons in 2020 and played nine consecutive Origin games, winning two series, before being dropped for last year’s series.

It’s hard to make an Origin comeback post-30 but Capewell’s adaptability and form for the Warriors won him a spot for game two of at the MCG next week after coach Billy Slater omitted Selwyn Cobbo, the No.17 in game one in Sydney.

Capewell was asked whether he thought the ship had sailed on his Origin career after not playing any part in last year’s series win. 

 “I didn’t know whether it was over or not, but I knew it would be hard to get back in the team,” Capewell said.

“There is some great talent throughout Queensland and we are very lucky to be in the position we are, especially with back-rowers. 

“To get the call up again, I’m just over the moon and ready to rip in and do my job for the team.”

The fact Capewell has played centre on four occasions in Origin makes him a valuable asset with Slater cognisant of the fact that the Maroons have lost an outside back during the match in five of the past seven Origin games.

“I have played a bit of centre, played a bit of back-row and played in the middle, so I am happy to fill in wherever I can and help out and do whatever the team needs,” Capewell said.

The former Brisbane, Penrith and Cronulla forward said he was glad Slater had kept him in mind.

“I’m not forgotten from across the ditch (in NZ), it’s pretty much another separate state of Queensland over there,” he grinned.
“It’s been a great move for me personally with my footy and with my development as a player and leader. 

“To be coached by another new coach under Webby (Andrew Webster), who is a great coach, I just keep on learning. Luckily enough, it’s put me in a position to be part of this again.”

with AAP