‘Pretty crazy’: Reece Walsh responds to English fans’ homophobic and vile abuse

3 days ago 6

With a smile, a wink and a cheeky jibe, Australian superstar Reece Walsh shrugged off vile abuse from a small section of English fans during the Kangaroos’ victory over England at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Unlike the NRL where sin-binned players are sent into the dressing room for 10 minutes, Walsh was able to take his place on the sideline after he was given a yellow card by referee Grant Atkins with 14 minutes remaining.

Australia fullback Reece Walsh ensures England winger Dominic Young can’t get passed in on the way to the try line at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Walsh plonked himself on a tackling pad a metre away from the fans and had to endure a barrage of abuse from a handful of English fans who made homophobic references, called him a bastard and mocked him for wearing nail polish.

While security had to intervene to warn one of the spectators, Walsh refrained from returning serve with any distasteful gestures or comments.

However, he did draw a round of laughter from those nearby when he turned – with a cheeky smile – and asked one of the spectators if he was still a virgin.

“Some of the things that they were saying were pretty crazy,” Walsh said.

“But I’m one of those guys, if you’re going to give it, you’re going to receive it.”

Despite a small group of spectators, Walsh was largely admired by adoring English fans who have been falling over themselves to get close to the Australian No.1.

He is a massive hit with the younger fans and has handled the popularity and spotlight with class.

“You hear all these things about the game not being as strong over here, so just to be able to come out here and bring eyes to the sport, that’s what we want to do,” he said.

“We want to grow our game. We have to have more things like this. I think 22 years [since previous Ashes tour] is way too long so we have to keep growing the game and bringing people from near and far. It will be awesome to take our game all over the world.”

Meanwhile, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has given his Ashes-winning players three days off to head to Scotland to celebrate the series victory before returning to duty to try to seal a clean sweep.

The Kangaroos were meant to head to Leeds to prepare for the final game of the three Test series on Sunday, however the coach – in partnership with skipper Isaah Yeo – has given the players time to enjoy each other’s company in Edinburgh.

The players set off on a train from Liverpool after wrapping up the series at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a grinding 14-4 victory.

Walsh, said the players would enjoy a break but were determined to finish the series on a high.

“It’s not wrapped up yet, we still have one game to go,” Walsh said.

“If you look at the teams that go down in history, they’re the ones who are ruthless. The boys are going to enjoy it with each other but once it comes time to work, we’re going to work really hard to go for the jugular.”

The series triumph caps off an incredible month for Walsh, who has led both the Broncos and country to a trophy.

“It’s pretty crazy. I don’t feel like I’ve had the time to sit and reflect,” he said.

“I’ve just been on the go for the last six, seven weeks. I’m really looking forward to finish off this campaign and then getting home down to settle with my family.”

He’s now in the discussion for the best player in the game. He finds himself in a similar position to what he was in 2023 when he led Brisbane to within 16 minutes of a premiership before Nathan Cleary intervened and etched his name into grand final folklore.

He struggled to reach the same heights the following year but now has a lot more experience.

“It’s just keeping myself honest, mate,” he said.

“I’m not saying that in ’24 I didn’t keep myself honest, but it’s just about learning and growing. I’m still in my early 20’s ... Being in teams like this, you see the best players in the world and the way they approach the game and the way they approach training.

“It’s really good to be able to sit back and admire them and see little things that they do that I can take into my game. Even just around taking a break and enjoying being in the moment and being present sometimes. Sometimes I can get caught up in ‘next job, next job’ instead of just sitting and appreciating where I am.”