When Billy Slater pulled out of Origin 1 yesterday with a hamstring strain, the Queensland selectors called in Kalyn Ponga and Anthony Milford to cover.
Two for one is decidedly odd, but that strange decision doesn’t compare to not selecting Ponga in the first place. How Gene Miles, Darren Lockyer, and Kevin Walters left Ponga out beggars belief.
This 20-year-old with only a handful of NRL games under his belt is a superstar waiting to break out.
He reminds me of a teenage Brad Fittler who stood head and shoulders above his far older peers. He went on to play 336 NRL games, a record 31 Origins for NSW, and 38 Tests.
The first time I saw Fittler and his massive side step, his superb ball handing, and his devastating defence, I thought that all of those assets were a doddle he did it so easily.
Little wonder he became the only Australian Schoolboy in 1989 to become a Kangaroo in 1990 – from a kids international to fully blown green and gold in successive years.
Kalyn Ponga is another Brad Fittler, the only difference is he’s qualified to play for Queensland, and he’s faster.
Kalyn Ponga of the Knights (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Ponga has the same assets – he’s on the brink of a sensational career..
Forget the rubbish he hasn’t played enough NRL games, that he’s too inexperienced, and has too much to learn.
If you’re good enough, you’re old enough and all those negatives fly straight out the window.
And Ponga is far, far more than just good enough.
More importantly, Ponga has such outstanding ability he has shone on rugby league fields, rugby fields, soccer fields, hockey fields, and golf courses – he’s a wonderfully gifted all-round sportsman.
In fact Ponga can be the difference to Queensland winning on Wednesday night at the MCG against all odds, or copping a mother and father of a hiding.
So where should the Maroons play him?
He’s equally at home at fullback, winger, and centre – and there are two positive options.
Greg Inglis can switch from centre to fullback and bring Ponga into the centres, or leave the skipper in the centres, and start Ponga at fullback.
If the selectors still want to be negative they can take Michael Morgan off the bench to fullback, and start Ponga on the bench.
NSW would love the latter to limit Ponga’s game time for as long as possible.
If the doubters want any ironclad proof of how much Kalyn Ponga means to a team, just look at how the Cowboys have suffered with his switch to the Knights.
Apart from the excellent win over Manly at Brookvale, the Cowboys have been missing in action for most of the season, sitting on four wins from 13 games.
Whereas the Knights, with not nearly the depth of the Cowboys, have won six of their 13, and that’s a big improvement for the wooden spooners of the past few seasons.
And he’ll do the same for Queensland on Wednesday night. Slater’s scratching will be a blessing in disguise for the Maroons.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ok, you went and watched a younger-than-17 year old Brad Fittler play, that no one had ever seen or heard of. You came back to work or the pub or wherever and said something to the effect of “I’ve just seen an outstanding schoolboy footballer who I think will go on to be an all time great” And your friends / colleagues reaction was to howl you down about a player they had never seen or heard of before? That’s a really weird reaction. Either that or it’s a load of old bollocks...I can’t decide which
Renegade
Roar Guru
It's not hard to find reasons why....the kid would get steamrolled in origin - he hasn't even had a full NRL season yet? Were you serious in suggesting he could play centre... have you seen him defend? Tim Smith was going to be the greatest halfback ever midway through his first NRL season.... just sayin.
Snow Bjelke-Petersen
Guest
OK David you saw Fitler first... Its time for bed now.
Snow Bjelke-Petersen
Guest
David you were wrong to suggest Ponga had any effect with the Cowboys last year and you need to acknowledge that. KP barely made it onto the field in 2017.
David Lord
Expert
I saw Brad Fittler play before he won Australian Schoolboy selection, long before all you knockers had ever heard of Brad Fittler. And long before those who howled me down at the time had seen him either. I don't have to name them just to pacify you knockers, they know who they are and have since said I got it right.
PNG Broncos fan88
Guest
Unlike Ponga, Billy was erratic in is younger years and lacked confidence and was dropped after a couple of lack lustre games. Hunt displaced him at fullback, it was done form wise and not as a tactic.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Well played
Matt H
Roar Guru
I had to laugh at "How Gene Miles, Darren Lockyer, and Kevin Walters left Ponga out beggars belief. This 20-year-old with only a handful of NRL games under his belt..." Umm, there's your answer right there. If QLD were on the end of 11 from 12 losses, maybe we would turn to a 20 year old who has yet to play a full season in first grade. But we didn't have to. This was the back five: 1. Slater - one of the two greatest fullbacks to play the game 2. Valentine-Holmes - scored a hat trick in his last Origin matched and starred for Australia last year. 3. Greg Inglis - the greatest try scorer in Origin history and the captain 4. Will Chambers - the incumbent QLD and Australian centre, pretty much acknowledged as the best all round centre in the game. 5. Dane Gagai - QLD's player of the series last year. Now that Slater is injured sure Ponga comes into consideration. BUT a fullback's role also encompasses organising his side's defence from the back. Newcastle have been ok this year, but their defence is nothing special at all and Ponga has limited experience in this area. Defence wins Origin. I'll be fine if he gets the nod as Kevvie and the selectors know a thing or two about winning, but equally I'd be fine with Inglis at the back and Morgan in the centres.
mushi
Roar Guru
How was the comment ignorant regarding Ken Irvine? He just suggested that was all you knew about, and rather than defend your positon that it was "ironclad proof" you waxed lyrical about Irvine. Doesn't that support his statement
jimmmy
Guest
PNG , I too think the guy is the long term answer for QLD at FB. But 80 mins at FB in Origin at his age. .? I have seen all of the games he played for the Cows and most he has played for the Knights . His achillles heel is the same as Billy’s in his younger days. He will be smashed into oblivion running off his own line. He is a small body not fully developed. I would pick him on the bench , play Morgs or GI at FB then bring him in after that first 20 min madness. We used a similar tactic with Billy and Karmichael Hunt and it worked well. Hunt took all the rubbish and Billy provided the polish. We both agree he is the choice to replace Billy. I just reckon we need to be smart about it.
Albo
Guest
They won't play him because he has plenty of defensive liabilities . Have you guys seen his on line defence ? Comparing him to a young Fittler is ridiculous. Freddy could tackle strongly in all situations. Morgan will come in either as fullback or as centre replacing Inglis, or at 6 replacing Munster , one of whom may be moved to fullback. QLD have a myriad of options for fullback before opting for Ponga. Ponga may get a run on bench as a last resort attacking option if needed in game one.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
The back line with MIlford and Ponga in the mix could come out with so many variable combinations you could use them as a lotto draw only chambers and Ponga play one position ,morgan gi holmes gagai all play 3 positions well . I don't think kevie will play his cards until he has to
Geoff Dustby
Guest
good to see you agree with David about his effect on leaving the cowboys, a team that made the GF without him last year please ignore facts and keep playing the man not the ball
RandyM
Guest
so they wont pick ponga because if he stars and helps qld to a victory it might hurt slaters feelings?
Nick
Roar Guru
Yes, I'd like to see some proof that Mr Lord was howled down.
thomas coates
Guest
I'd assume the two for one replacement means that they're thinking of pushing munster to fullback. This keeps morgan on the bench and means they get the combination of hunt/milford/mccullough. It makes some sense, especially if they're a smidge anxious about picking a teenager. I'd note Milf's form slump could be seem as largely a matter of expecting him to control play.
Nat
Roar Guru
Please David, throw your hat in the ring for Blues selector. The kid has undeniable skills but he is half a season in and where is his team on the ladder? He can't play anywhere but FB and Qld have the best ever in that role at the time of selection. He's got 10yrs ahead of him but you'd have him squeeze out the worlds best now.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
lol. Thanks Don. Maybe it was the gals in the typing pool that howled him down. David isn't reading the responses. I am seeing very few people suggest Ponga isn't a special talent.
iron fist
Guest
Yes, I hope QLD bring in Ponga 2 days before his very first Origin to start as FB with no more than a Captain's run to gel with his team. It's not as though the FB has to organise his defence or anything. It's too late for Ponga to start Game 1. With consistent reps with the squad prior to Games 2 & 3, then it's more likely. But hey, David probably knows a lot more than Kevin Walters, Lockyer & Miles.
Rogere
Guest
Newcastle need him more, no QLD!