New Zealand Warriors' star fullback
Reece Walsh and his management have reportedly begun conversations with
the Dolphins.
While NRL rules would require Walsh to need clearance from the Warriors to negotiate before the final year of his contract - which is next year - reports from
Triple M's Ben Dobbin suggest Walsh doesn't want to go to New Zealand in 2023.
The Warriors will be based in Redcliffe during most of, if not all of, the 2022 season. New Zealand's international border remains shut and while it will open to Australian travellers in July, that will come with a quarantine period which simply won't work for
NRL teams.
While discussions remain open between the NRL and New Zealand government as to whether the Warriors will be able to host five home games in the country at the back end of the year, the chance appears slim.
Walsh has a young family and is reportedly unwilling to travel to Auckland, preferring to stay in
Queensland during the 2023 season.
He has a player option for 2024, meaning he would need the Warriors' blessing and a release to play elsewhere in 2023, but could do so in 2024.
It was reported yesterday by Scott Sattler on
SEN that the Warriors wouldn't be willing to let Walsh leave the club, with one source using the term "over our dead body."
However, Dobbin reports Walsh's management have begun conversations with
Queensland-based clubs.
“That is very true (he wants out), but where he lands ... Brisbane made a commitment to keep
Tesi Niu. They are all-in on
Tesi Niu at the present moment and very happy with how he’s going,” he said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour.
Will Reece Walsh remain a Warrior in 2023?
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