“Origin is great, it’s a great thing for our game, we’ve just got to make sure it’s in the right space.
“[I think it would be] less of a distraction on the season, but we’ve got through the last couple of years in pretty good shape.
Coach Kevin Walters chats with Darius Boyd during training.Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“I love that our boys play Origin, it’s done wonderful things for Patty Carrigan’s career [and] Flegler’s career when they come out of Origin. Reece Walsh this year has been spending time with Billy Slater in there. That sort of time is invaluable.
“We love Origin, we’ve just got to get the right piece of that puzzle.”
Walters had previously been adamant he would not rest his key players, in a bid to launch the club’s first premiership charge since 2006.
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However, after securing a top-two berth last week against Canberra, he has backflipped on those plans.
His shift has drawn the ire of some fans, with ticket holders taking to social media to voice their frustrations that the Broncos’ leading men would not play.
But Walters was quick to defend his selection gambles, declaring that those who came into the mix – the likes of veterans Delouise Hoeter and Jordan Pereira, who are yet to play NRL this year – warranted a call-up.
“The minor premiership is important – acknowledging you are the best team – and I feel, without being arrogant, we have been the best team, and the most consistent team all season,” Walters said.
“The other thing is taking a step back and having a look at the bigger picture of where we want to get to as a team and as a club, and of course, that bigger picture is next week – finals week one.”
