Queensland Maroons fullback addresses Reece Walsh and State of Origin expectations
Queensland Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga has revealed he feels no pressure to justify his selection ahead of Broncos rival Reece Walsh as he is better placed than ever to make an impression in the State of Origin oven.
Newcastle’s skipper has moved ahead in the pecking order for the No.1 jersey thanks to his unbeaten performance at the Knights, where he is yet to miss a game either side of the 2026 second-round tie due to a hamstring injury.
Incumbent Kangaroo custodian and reigning Clive Churchill medalist Walsh was widely expected to add to his five Queensland caps after his own performances were disrupted by a broken cheekbone.
Ponga, by contrast, has been on a tear since returning from a seven-week absence, running over 200 meters in each of his team’s three wins since his return.
The 28-year-old voiced his respect for Walsh and denied his selection would bring greater performance expectations.
“I think when you get selected you earn the jersey. I have a lot of respect for Reece and that’s probably why I won’t touch on it too much,” Ponga said.
“I’m here to do a job, I know the football I can play and I’m playing now and I want to carry that into next Wednesday.
“That’s all I’m focused on, doing my job at the Knights, making sure we win games there.”
Until the Queensland team was announced, it was believed that both Ponga and Walsh would coexist in the same side; There were quite a few hints that the former would take over half-time duties in Tom Dearden’s absence (syndesmosis).
Ponga said he had been waiting for the call and would be successful in the role if it came to him, before the job went to Sam Walker at the expense of Walsh.
“I know what I’m like; if this was the challenge that was in front of me, I would adjust, get my head together, focus on it and prepare to the best of my ability,” Ponga said.
“The way I play full-back is a bit like a half-back, my role at the Knights is a full-back first, full-back second type. “Obviously there’s a difference between full-back and half-back and that’s the defensive side of it and that’s probably something I’m not used to.
“But it would be pretty similar to the way I play football.”
Maroons coach Billy Slater suggested on Monday that Ponga was “at a really good point in his career and his life.”
Ponga, who won the Dally M Medal in 2023, said he found an appreciation for the game and the weekly routine that would fuel his greatest successes with the Maroons.
“I think I care more about my football… the older you get, the more you appreciate everything,” he said.
“Time starts to run out a little bit, you value everything a lot more, so I think it all comes together. The only thing I can really control is my preparation and my recovery and how I spend my weeks and putting myself in the best mental frame to perform.”
Ponga and Queensland debutant Briton Nikora will be Queensland’s first players to benefit from the NRL’s Origin eligibility rule changes; This change allows New Zealand and England Test players to be selected provided they start playing junior rugby league in their home provinces before their 13th birthday.
This opens the door for Ponga to switch allegiances from Australia to the Kiwis, while 15-time black capper Nikora will also get his first chance in the Origin cauldron.
“This is where it all started for me and my football jersey. I know how important this is to small towns, kids and everyone in Queensland,” Ponga said.
“I’ve been mostly in Queensland, my culture is Kiwi, but I represent both. It’s special… I didn’t think an opportunity like this would arise, but it clearly did and I’m grateful to be able to take it.”
“My job obviously is to wear it with pride, to represent Queensland with pride. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to wear the Kiwi jersey but at least it’s an option. I want to represent this jersey in the way I can.”
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