Indigenous All Stars favourite Cody Walker says it will break his heart to miss out on his favourite game of the year – but decided to skip the clash to ensure he will be fit and fresh for the start of South Sydney’s premiership charge.
Walker and Souths teammate Latrell Mitchell will be big-name omissions from the Indigenous side to face the Maori on Sunday week.
At 36 and without a deal for next year, Walker may not get another chance to feature in the All Stars match. He will decide later in the year whether to play on or move into coaching.
After being restricted to just 11 NRL games last season, Walker said the last thing he needed was a fresh setback – and a belated start to the season with Souths.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be playing this year, but I want to make sure I’m 100 per cent ready to go for Souths, physically and mentally,” Walker said. “The year I had last year, I did both hammys, and in the past 18 months alone, I’ve done my calf four times.
“I love the All Stars. I also know it’s one of those games where you can’t coast in and out of a game like you can in a trial.
“It’s really competitive and both teams don’t want to lose. It’s played at such a fast pace. I couldn’t take that risk with my body, especially heading into such a long season. I’m fit, but I just can’t take the risk – it would be unfair on the boys and unfair on Wayne [Bennett].”
Walker was part of a bulging casualty ward at Souths last season, with Mitchell and skipper Cameron Murray breaking down on the same day during pre-season training. Mitchell will miss the All Stars with a calf complaint.
On a positive note, Walker said he had clicked immediately with recruit David Fifita on the left edge.
“I played with him for the first time in 2019 with the All Stars, and I’m really excited to see what he’s capable of doing this year,” Walker said.
Discussion about this post