By Nick Wright
Kalyn Ponga has completed a remarkable State of Origin resurrection, but the exile of one of the game’s most destructive men will continue.
Ponga made his return from a 10-week recovery from an ankle injury in Newcastle’s 16-12 win over Canberra, starring to the tune of 263 running metres, nine tackle busts and a line break.
Kalyn Ponga has been recalled into the Maroons fold just one game back from an extensive injury lay-off.Credit: Getty
The Knights skipper had scored a try and ran for 262 metres and three line breaks in a man-of-the-match performance to guide the Maroons to a series-deciding triumph in 2022, and will take on the same bench utility role he performed on his Origin debut.
It marks an incredible turnaround for Ponga, who missed last year’s series with concussion issues, and signals the potential for a palpable combination with fellow No.1 Reece Walsh.
“Every time you go through adversity it builds that resilience in you. I’ve been through that as a player with injuries and what not, and setbacks and disappointments, and Kalyn’s done that and really matured as a person,” Queensland coach Billy Slater said.
“To have the best part of three months off and come back and perform the way that he did … I dare say if Kalyn Ponga’s not on the field they [Newcastle] may not get the two points.
But while the star fullback rejoins the fray, Slater still has found no room for David Fifita.
The 115-kilogram Gold Coast wrecking ball’s omission from the series thus far has triggered widespread debate among the rugby league fraternity, as his obvious attacking prowess was overlooked for what Slater described as an inability to meet the “standards” required for selection.
Since then, however, the powerful forward has been near unstoppable for the Titans, averaging 162 metres and seven tackle busts a game, with club teammate Keenan Palasia lauding the 24-year-old for his renewed attention to the smaller details of his game.
No forward has broken more tackles than Fifita this season (77), and that degree of impact appeared sorely missed in game two.
The Blues dominance through the middle threatened to boil over before Melbourne, with the likes of Payne Haas, Spencer Leniu and Angus Crichton winning much of the territory battle in Queensland’s series opening win – despite playing with just 12 men.
But even after Slater’s pack were completely overpowered by their New South Wales rivals in their most recent 38-18 defeat, Fifita has been overlooked once again in favour of Kurt Capewell – who will start in the back row in place of the Jaydn Su’A, who is “nursing a few issues” – and Felise Kaufusi.
“Dave was a serious consideration, but we feel the 17 players who have been chosen are the 17 players who have earned the opportunity to be here,” Slater said.
“Dave’s a name that has been in the conversation for all games … he started the season a bit behind the eight-ball with a pec injury, he didn’t have a great preseason, and he’s still working back to the standard he set himself last year.
“I’m sure he’d be the first one to admit that.”
It is a gamble, no doubt, leaving Slater with just two forwards to choose from on his interchange, leaving the likes of Reuben Cotter and Pat Carrigan likely to play the majority of the contest.
Bench hooker Harry Grant will also go into the clash while battling a sternum injury, while Ponga has played just once since undergoing Lisfranc surgery after round seven.
David Fifita (right) has been overlooked for the Maroons again, despite his standing as the leading tackle busting forward in the NRL and his state missing the aggression of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (left).Credit: NRL Photos
Ponga will be joined in Maroons colours by Selwyn Cobbo and Dane Gagai, who return in place of injured wingers Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi (both hamstrings).
Cobbo was left out of game two following his game one heroics as Slater cited mental fatigue and the need to play with pain-killing injections as the reasons behind his absence.
But the 22-year-old will take one place on the wing, as will Valentine Holmes, who had a night to forget at centre in game two against a rampant Latrell Mitchell and Crichton.
Gagai’s comeback to the Origin arena comes on the back of a barnstorming performance for Newcastle on Sunday – finishing with 215 metres and 10 tackle busts, while scoring a try.
Only Blues winger Brian To’o and Roosters fullback James Tedesco have made more tackle busts than Gagai and Cobbo this year, and Slater will be hopeful their strength in each hit-up will help offset the Blues’ forward strength.
Slater still has the runs on the board. When he was last faced in this position, seeking to avenge a huge game two defeat, he pulled Queensland out from the doldrums to triumph.
Only time will tell if his decision to omit Fifita comes back to bite him.
Queensland Maroons Game III team
1. Reece Walsh; 2. Selwyn Cobbo; 3. Dane Gagai; 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; 5. Valentine Holmes; 6. Tom Dearden; 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c); 8. Reuben Cotter; 9. Ben Hunt; 10. Lindsay Collins; 11. Kurt Capewell; 12. Jeremiah Nanai; 13. Pat Carrigan; 14. Harry Grant; 15. Moeaki Fotuaika; 16. Felise Kaufusi; 17; Kalyn Ponga; 18. Trent Loiero; 19. Brendan Piakura; 20. Reed Mahoney