Broncos coach Kevin Walters reveals the devastating effects of Origin hit on Reece Walsh as he explodes over ban handed to Joseph Sua’ali’i

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has called on the NRL to do more to protect star fullback Reece Walsh and says a four-match ban for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i isn’t enough of a deterrent to stop other players from going after his best player.

Walsh was knocked out of the State of Origin opener inside the first eight minutes when the Blues rookie jammed out of the line and whacked him high and late.

Sua’ali’i was sent off and suspended for four matches, but Walters says that while the incident was policed well on the field, he wants the NRL to come down harder on offenders after Walsh suffered his second serious injury this season.

The flashy fullback suffered a facial fracture in the grand final rematch earlier in the year when Taylan May raced out of the line and clashed heads with the speedster, with the Panthers centre avoiding a ban for the tackle gone wrong.

‘That’s the second time that it’s happened, and four weeks, for me, is not enough,’ a fired-up Walters said.

Walsh was knocked out of the State of Origin opener inside the first eight minutes (pictured) when the Blues rookie centre jammed out of the line and whacked him high and late

‘I’ve got to support our player. That’s twice now, and the first time didn’t even get sin binned or suspended.

‘We want our great players to play. It’s not about toughness. Reece is as tough as any player in the game.

‘Four weeks for ironing out a bloke the way that he did is not enough.

‘The NRL have got to protect him, that’s who’s got to protect him, and be harder on the suspensions.’

Walsh will miss Brisbane’s next two NRL games after he showed category 1 concussion symptoms on Wednesday night. 

Walters confirmed his other Origin representatives would be right to face the Sharks, but stopped short of accusing the Blues of deliberately going after Walsh, who was also tackled late by Liam Martin when he put up an early kick.

‘It’s not right for me to try and feel what their plan was, but I saw what their actions were and that was the first block play of the game. You make your own mind up,’ he said.

There have been suggestions that the Blues had a plan to deliberately go after Reece Walsh 

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i of the NSW Blues is sent from the field by referee Ashley Klein 

‘Teams have been targeting the better players for a long time, but I’m just not in agreeance with the suspension.

‘A four-week ban is not going to deter another player from coming out next time Reece plays and trying to take his head out again.’

Tristan Sailor will replace Walsh at fullback for Brisbane on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium after recovering from an ankle injury earlier than expected.