Queensland rugby league greats Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer have backed teen star Reece Walsh for Game Three selection if called upon.
Walsh, who was selected for last week's Game Two amid mounting criticism from a number of the league's biggest voices, didn't feature in Queensland's 26-0 loss after suffering a hamstring strain during the Maroons' captain's run.
The 18-year-old was called into coach Paul Green's Maroons following injuries to first-choice fullback Kalyn Ponga and utility AJ Brimson.
With Walsh's injury not expected to keep him sidelined for too long, and with no certainties that Ponga or Brimson will be available for the July 14 clash, the teen star could once again find his name selected at fullback for Queensland.
Asked if Walsh should again be picked to make his Origin debut, Lewis said he couldn't see any reason to take the opportunity away from the Warriors fullback.
"I think he deserves selection in the team," Lewis told Wide World of Sports' QLDER.
"I'm not telling the selectors what to do, but they thought he was good enough to be there for Game Two.
"I can't see why not? He has the form on the board.
"I think it's one of those matches, that we (Queensland) will be very determined to get to the end of the series with a little bit of pride on board, but it's also an investigation into what could be there for next year."
Lockyer added: "I don't think Reece Walsh playing in a dead rubber is any different to playing at home, in a live game."
"That will be something the coach and selectors will discuss at length once the NRL rounds are complete and we know who is available."
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/reece-walsh-maroons-game-three-wally-lewis-darren-back-warriors-star/620fabe5-52e6-461c-bf15-f74ddc4109c3
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