Kalyn Ponga says he can’t wait to link up with Maroons teammate Reece Walsh in what is tipped to be a mouth-watering combination during next week’s Origin decider at Suncorp.
The enigmatic fullback has been named on the interchange following a brilliant NRL return on Sunday as his Knights downed the Raiders 16-12.
The 26-year-old had been sidelined with a Lisfranc injury since going down in Round 7 but got through the match unscathed and says he is excited to build combinations with Walsh in camp this week.
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“Everyone loves watching him (Walsh) I guess. His speed, his elusiveness, how exciting he is, everything,” Ponga said.
“I’ve been thinking about it (being teammates with Walsh) for a little while. I’ve got visions of him going down the sidelines and passing it back into me.
“I guess my job when I come on, we still haven’t really worked that out, but I guess it’s to give him the footy and open it up.”
It will be the 2023 Dally M Medallist’s first game for Queensland since 2022 after he withdrew from Origin duties last year following a series of concussions that threatened to end his career.
“It was a difficult period for me last year and I wasn’t ready mentally and physically I reckon for this arena with everything that was going on with me personally,” he said.
“It was a decision that was made by Billy and myself at that point in time but I’m extremely grateful and to go and have the year that I had was huge for me and huge for my footy.
“I never really doubt myself and I always wanted to get back in this arena and never closed the door to it.”
Ponga’s return to the Origin interchange will likely see him play a similar role to 2018 when he was injected as a middle forward in one of the great Origin debuts.
He said he was yet to discuss his exact role with coach Billy Slater and would be ready to slot in wherever required.
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“I haven’t really spoken to Billy about that yet – we’ll work that out and I’ll go into the game clear and knowing what my role is,” he said.
“Back then (in 2018) I was just a kid to be honest and Kevvie didn’t really give me too much and just said ‘go out there and play’ and no doubt it will be pretty similar messaging (from Slater).
“I know what this sort of arena takes so I’ll warm my shoulders up and I’m keen to get out there.”
Ponga is no stranger to Origin deciders having helped the Maroons down the Blues 22-12 in Game III of the 2022 Series in a Man of the Match performance.
“I’ve played in one (decider) before and I know exactly what to expect and what’s going to be out there,” Ponga said.
“It’s an exciting week and will be an exciting game and you could argue one of the best games of the year.
“I’m excited. I know what this environment is like and to play for this team and for this state.
“That’s the aim and the goal this week – winning at home at Suncorp and I want to play my role in that.”
Source Agencies
