Kalyn Ponga was the big selection for Queensland heading into the State of Origin decider – but it will all be for naught if his teammates can’t lay a platform.
The 26-year-old has been named on the bench for the Maroons in game three, with Reece Walsh retaining his spot at fullback.
Ponga only returned in clubland for the Knights last weekend after a lengthy layoff for a foot injury, helping his side to a vital victory over the Raiders.
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The decision from Billy Slater to select Ponga will see the Maroons go into the clash with a lighter bench, which also includes Storm hooker Harry Grant.
Kalyn Ponga has earned a recall to the Queensland side. Getty
Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ QLDER, fellow selector Darren Lockyer said the call from Queensland is similar to Selwyn Cobbo’s inclusion on the bench in game one, which proved to be a masterstroke after Walsh went off inside the opening 10 minutes.
“Billy had a plan for Cobbo if there were no injuries,” he said.
“He’ll have a way of injecting KP into the game and he’s not just going to sit on the bench as coverage for an outside back. There will be a way to get him into the game.
“You’ve only got to look back to when Cooper Cronk used to come at No.14 and Shaun Berrigan before that. You’ve got these ball-players who can go to an edge and create.
“You’ll potentially have Reece on one side and KP on the other, which if you can build some fatigue, ruck speed and momentum, that becomes pretty dangerous.”
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Walsh and Ponga could be the biggest threat to the Blues regaining the shield for the first time since 2021, with the pair slated to play together for the first time.
However, according to Lockyer, their combination in attack won’t be possible if the Maroons forward pack is bullied again as they were in game two.
Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh in Maroons camp. QRL
“We still have to lay the right platform for them to showcase their skills,” he said.
“As we saw in game two, if you don’t have any momentum in the middle of the field, you can look pretty average.
“Their real focus is for the forwards to try and win that battle, so the likes of Reece and KP can do their thing with time and space.”
Titans star David Fifita has again been overlooked for selection, while Dragons enforcer Jaydn Su’A was dropped after the game two loss in Melbourne.