Reece Walsh had tears in his eyes ahead of the World Cup opener before producing heroics to help Australia beat New Zealand.
The fullback received the backing of head coach Kevin Walters to start over James Tedesco, who won the Clive Churchill Medal in the grand final under two weeks ago.
Walsh, who starred during Australia’s tour of the UK last year, was playing his first game in eight weeks after suffering a nasty syndesmosis injury as a result of a hip drop tackle playing for Brisbane.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Watch Australia’s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1
But he showed no signs of lacking match fitness in a stellar display, which included a lung-busting run to get Australia back into the contest, beating two Kiwis players to score.
He celebrated the try with a bout of showmanship but admitted it was an emotional night for him after being picked to start.
Walsh had tears in his eyes during the national anthem and admitted after the game that seeing New Zealand perform the haka and thinking of his family made him emotional.
“It was a special one. Both teams really passionate,” he told Channel 7.
“Sit there face the haka, it was my first time. I was pretty emotional thinking of my family, all my friends who helped me get here.
“To stand out there with such an awesome bunch of boys, it was a really special one.
“Awesome way to start off the 2026 World Cup, to was an awesome game to be a part of.”
Walsh getting the nod ahead of Tedesco was a surprise to some given his out of sorts season for the Broncos.
But he removed any doubt of his ability with an incredible try-saving tackle to deny Kalyn Ponga in the first half.
PLAYER RATINGS
KANGAROOS: Superstar gives Kevvie big headache; Latrell’s wake-up call
KIWIS: 20yo freak’s incredible statement; teammate gets one up on star
Bostock & Turbo run the length | 00:39
He almost had a try of his own after wriggling through the New Zealand backline but it was ruled double movement.
However, he had the final say after a brilliant one-two with Jack Bostock saw him burst through and side step Ponga and Jahrome Hughes to score a try that could prove to be the best of the tournament.
The Kiwis fullback also suffered what looks to be a suspected fractured arm, ending the night in an arm sling.
Walsh had a classy message for his opposite man, saying: “It’s pretty special when you go up against special players like KP, you want to take on that challenge.
“Man, he was massive for them tonight.
“I’m honestly really gutted that he looks to be injured there. That’s going to be one the fans are really going to miss in the tournament.”
The Kangaroos gun himself admitted after the game that he could barely run due to his calves flaring up, and vision captured from the stands showed him vomiting as he prepared to take a kick in the second half.
“Walshy was very good tonight, having not played for eight weeks,” said Australia head coach Kevin Walters.
“I thought he was really good. That try-saving tackle he did is equal to anything that he can do an attack, and then he comes up with a couple of big plays in attack as well.
“He’s cramping and vomiting and all sorts of things. He didn’t have the energy to kick the goal. He’s a chucker (he throws up). People get nicknames and his nickname is ‘Chucker’.
“He’s not an endurance athlete. He’s a power athlete and he had some big efforts there a couple of times, back-to-back and we’ve seen him do that before.”
Despite his heroics, Walsh will sit out the next game against Fiji with Tedesco set to come in as part of Walter’s pre-set rotation plan.
“A lot of credit to Kevvie for instilling the trust in me, and also for what Teddy has done for me,” Walsh said after the win.
”Just being able to sit there and ask him questions and learn.
“I’m going to take a lot out of that to be able to rub shoulders with one of the best to ever do it in the fullback position.
“I feel like I’m really grateful and just because we got the win tonight doesn’t mean that any spots are cemented.”