Daly Cherry-Evans has lifted the lid on how the Maroons plan to utilise Kalyn Ponga in State of Origin 3, while Billy Slater is being tipped to shake up his starting line-up. According to reports, Slater is considering starting Harry Grant and Mo Fotuaika at hooker and prop respectively, which would see Ben Hunt and Lindsay Collins move to the bench.
Slater is said to be wary of how the Blues will start the game, after they dominated the Queensland forward pack at the beginning of Game 2. With Grant and Fotuaika in the starting side the Maroons might get a bit more steel in the middle to combat the fired-up NSW pack.
The other big question mark is how Slater will use Ponga off the bench. The Queensland coach has two dynamic fullbacks at his disposal in Ponga and Reece Walsh, but unless there’s an injury in the back-line Slater has to figure out how to get Ponga involved.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Queensland captain Cherry-Evans revealed that Ponga will be used in the middle of the park as an extra playmaker and be given free reign to roam around. “We are going to encourage everyone and particularly Kalyn, when he comes on, to just play footy. It’s his strength,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Some stuff you just can’t script. Sure we will want to put some pieces together for him and some framework but ultimately his best footy is when there’s a quick play-the-ball and off he goes.”
Ponga missed 11 weeks of action for the Knights due to a foot injury, but returned with a strong display in round 18 against Canberra to convince Slater he was ready for Origin action. “I watched him play (for Newcastle) in his first game back and it is hard not to be excited watching Kalyn Ponga play. He is a great footy player,” Cherry-Evans said.
“If we can get him in some opportunities and positions on the field that he is familiar with then he is a really hard person to take down. He is a run option. He is a pass option and can pop up in the back of shape and challenge people directly. I am really excited Kalyn is back in this arena and looking forward to playing alongside him on Wednesday.”
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Daly Cherry-Evans backs Kalyn Ponga to shine in Origin 3
NSW did a similar thing with Tom Trbojevic in 2021 when he was picked at centre but played all over the park. Playing in the front line isn’t something Ponga is overly familiar with, but Cherry-Evans has backed him to fire.
“It is just the player he is. He is naturally a threat with the ball in his hands but he is not afraid to put his body on the line,” the skipper said. “He cares a lot about this team and he takes a lot of pride in his performance so no doubt all those things will put him in good shape for Wednesday night.”
As for Cherry-Evans, the veteran halfback said he’ll leave a decision on his rep footy future until after the series. Many have tipped the 35-year-old to retire from State of Origin and focus on club footy with Manly from 2025.
“I won’t want any special treatment for that sort of stuff,” he said. “I don’t make these decisions during the year. I do my best thinking in the off-season but while I am in the thick of it I am just going to keep enjoying it. I love this job and it is crazy that I even call it a job. I love everything that comes with it.”
with AAP