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Former Warriors coach and Kiwi rugby league legend Tony Kemp says Reece Walsh’s behaviour is “ruining” his reputation, after he was hit with a three-match ban for a foul-mouthed outburst during the Broncos’ 18-12 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Broncos star will miss Origin III after being found guilty of contrary conduct at a marathon judiciary hearing on Tuesday night, with the panel finding he had directed abuse at referee Chris Butler.
Despite a level of uncertainty regarding who Walsh’s comments were aimed at, Walsh is gaining a reputation for losing his temper when decisions by match officials go against him and Kemp says it’s time the Broncos stepped in.
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Speaking on SENZ Breakfast on Wednesday Kemp called for the club to intervene to correct with the rising star’s behaviour before it has an impact on their premiership aspirations.
“I just think the Broncos really need to come down hard on this and deal with it, because it is a part of his game, and he is actually going to be a great player, but this is ruining it for him,” Kemp said.
“The Broncos wouldn’t want (Walsh’s behaviour) to be a part, going forward into the finals, especially after the way they lost the last eight games last year and missed out.
“I think it is good timing (for Walsh). It is a good thing for him to get it dealt with now.”
Queensland legend Cameron Smith also weighed in on the latest Walsh indiscretion, saying he “would have grabbed him” during the Titans clash if he was part of the Broncos leadership group.
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Walsh in hot water for expletive ridden rant
“If I was at that club, being a captain or a senior player, I would have just grabbed him and told him ‘You just need to focus on what you need to spend your energy to. Stop arguing with the ref and just concentrate on your role,” Smith told SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
Walsh’s ugly spray came less than a week after a heated incident with New South Wales star Jarome Luai during the final minutes of Origin II, which resulted in both players being sent off the field and receiving fines.
Walsh was given a standing ovation by the Suncorp Stadium crowd as he ran off the field, while Luai was the target for booing and brutal sledging.
While it was Luai who made headlines in the aftermath, thanks to a 4am social media post addressing fans, Kemp said Walsh’s behaviour since had made him look more foolish.
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“Off the back of the Jarome Luai thing, he’s actually come off worse,” Kemp said.
“Jarome Luai has stood over players and sent out their tweets, where he has said some incorrigible words, but now (Walsh) has gone out off the back of it and got himself suspended for three weeks.
“Hopefully he has learnt from this.”
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