Albert Einstein supposedly once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”, and Maroon coach Kevin Walters took Einstein’s advice after his team were comprehensively bashed 28-4 in last year’s Origin opener.
Walters was not prepared to go insane (and lose his job) by again leaving living legend Billy Slater out of the sudden death Origin 2 match.
To his credit, Kevin admitted his error and reinstated the great fullback, who was instrumental in narrowly winning Game 2 before going on to clinch another series.
Slater will be 35 in June, and based on his form, he has the Broncos fullback Darius Boyd covered, but already conversations have started about the young Knight Kalyn Ponga, who has taken all before him in his initial full year as a starting fullback at NRL level.
There is no doubt that the Queensland coach will again heed Einstein’s advice and make Billy Slater his number one selection as his experience at this level is unmatched.
Einstein also said, “The only source of knowledge is experience,” and Ponga certainly lacks experience, but he leads all NRL fullbacks for tackle breaks (eight per game) and try assists (six from six games) and he just lights up the field when he runs. How could you leave him out?
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The Maroons already have a pile-up of wingers with Darius Boyd, Dane Gagai and Corey Oates fighting for the two spots, so that leaves the bench.
Although the budding young star could cover most backline positions, he would not be considered in front of tried and tested utilities Anthony Milford, Michael Morgan, Ben Hunt, Daly Cherry-Evans or Cameron Munster.
The make-up of the Maroons two halves will determine who claims the important bench position.
There is little doubt that Kalyn Ponga, who was born in the iron ore town Port Hedland in Western Australia 20 years ago before moving to New Zealand and winning the 2010 under-13s national golf championship, will start his Origin career this year.
His exceptional skill set makes it impossible for Walters to ignore, and he is likely to be granted the prized opportunity to spend three camps sucking in every piece of knowledge he can at the University of Billy Slater with the view to claiming his shirt in 2019.
No doubt young Ponga will be anxious to wear the famous Maroon jersey that Gary Belcher, Darren Lockyer and Slater have made so famous, but by waiting another 12 months he will perhaps learn more by not playing that will endure him for life.
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