NZ Warriors sensation Reece Walsh has rejected the advances of Kiwis coach Michael Maguire, committing his future to Australia and Queensland.
Walsh, 18, was eligible to represent New Zealand through his Kiwi mother, but was born on the Gold Coast.
But that didn't stop Maguire from chancing his hand at attempting to secure Walsh's services for his New Zealand side, approaching the young fullback after the Warriors' 30-26 victory over Wests Tigers in Gosford last week.
Walsh though made it clear that he sees himself as an Australian at test level, and a Queenslander in State of Origin.
"He did say to me in there, 'Mate, Kiwis, what do you want to do?' I said, 'I'm an Aussie'," Walsh says.
"It's the highest level and it's what I want to push for later in my career.
"I was born in Queensland, I love Queensland and it's a dream of mine to one day play for Queensland.
"I played for Australian Schoolboys and I feel like Queensland and Australia are the highest level."
Walsh's desire to play for Queensland legends Wally Lewis and Billy Moore, both of whom have gone on the record this week to say that the Warriors rookie should wear a maroon jumper this year.
Walsh has been suggested as an option for Paul Green's side, with star half Cameron Munster under an injury cloud.
But Warriors coach Nathan Brown believes this year may be too soon for Walsh to take the step to State of Origin.
"Personally, I'd like to not see Reece play Origin at this time of his career," Brown said on Thursday.
"He's so young and he's only played a handful of games in the last two years. But in saying that, people like Wally Lewis and Billy Moore, they've achieved far more than me at that level.
"I wasn't good enough to get there and those two played a thousand games and did it well. So they certainly understand State of Origin a lot better than Nathan Brown because they've been right at the coalface.
"It's great they're talking about him and hopefully Reece just continues to grow and develop with us, and over time those things I'm sure will come his way."
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