The Queensland Maroons have been dealt a massive blow ahead of State of Origin Game 1, with Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga today officially ruled out of the series opener.
Ponga had been absent from the Newcastle line-up in recent weeks while nursing a groin injury, but Queensland coach Paul Green still named the 23-year-old in his 20-man line-up for Game 1 in the hopes he’d recover in time.
However, the team today conceded that he would not be fit in time for Wednesday night’s opening match at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“Kalyn has been progressing with his rehab but time is against us,” said Maroons team doctor Matt Hislop, in a statement.
“The decision has been made for him to return to the Newcastle Knights where he can focus on further recovery,” he said.
Ponga made his brief Origin debut off the bench in Game 2 of the 2018 series, before lining up as the fullback for the first two matches of 2019’s series. A hamstring strain saw him miss the decider, however, while he was absent from last year’s series altogether due to shoulder surgery.
The Maroons will hold their first main training session tomorrow. The battle for the no.1 jersey looks to be between Valentine Holmes and AJ Brimson and, although media reports indicate Holmes is in front, Brimson did a superb job in Ponga’s absence last season.
However, Brimson remaining at centre would allow Kurt Capewell – who infamously filled in as a back last series – to resume his proper role in the forward pack.
Crow
Roar Pro
I like your sense of humour. Maybe a script for something like ‘Shrek’, played by Paul Gallen.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Correct in fact. My misunderstanding
Joey
Guest
I wonder have the Broncos ever been so insipidly weak on talent, to only have a solitary winger in the entire Origin squad ? New halfback’s already from Sydney. Maybe get the scouts back down to Kempsey to see what they can find.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Ponga, great player on his day but has hardly fired a shot since resigning four years at $1.2mill per season. Saw him last round last year against the Titans on the Gold Coast, carrying shoulder before kick off, did not warm up with the team on field. Knights are burning him out playing injured and his team mates letting him get smashed every game.
Joey
Guest
Are we ever going to see these years venues reversed back the other way? Toad mouths tight-lipped, I dare say. 1980- Brisbane 1981 - Brisbane 1982- Brisbane 1983- Brisbane 1984- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane 1985- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane 1986- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane 1987- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane Finally the next year we get 1988- Sydney/Brisbane/Sydney But then this sequence 1989- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane 1990- Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane 1991- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane Similar to the current book-ended scenario either side of neutral years 2017- Brisbane/Sydney/Brisbane 2018- Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane 2019- Brisbane/Perth/Sydney 2020-Adelaide/Sydney/Brisbane 2021- Townsville/Brisbane/Sydney
Crow
Roar Pro
No, in his back pocket is correct. The Qld Premier stuffed a fat cheque in his (V’landys) back ......
Crow
Roar Pro
DCE
The Barry
Roar Guru
How do you like it... :silly:
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Yeah that'd be the obvious one, but I can see why they'd go with Val based on current cowboys form. Plus Titans have tanked across the board so that's got to be a factor in picking one over the other. Or maybe they need AJ somewhere else in the lineup.
Joey
Guest
Watch out NRL, Anastasia is filling out a claim for 10% back as we speak, upping it to 50% if Munster’s footsy is still a bit ouchy-wa-wa.
matth
Roar Guru
That the difference in the teams Mango, we don’t make excuses! Seriously though I’m just winding you up. Obviously Townsville is a real advantage, apparently bought for a mere $6M by the QLD government to boost the NQ tourist economy. Equally as clearly for all the talk of spirit and attitude, the winning side each year tends to have the better coach, players and cool heads in the spine. I’m happy for NQ because for some rugby league mad people in the North this is literally one in a lifetime. I’d love to see Newcastle get a game next year as compensation.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
That suits me, Feldty can place kick for the start of the game and then repeat that after points about 10 times a half and I will be a happy camper :laughing: :thumbup: :rugby:
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
two 2-point field goals by Val then!
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
You're right about Alfie. He spends more time on the field than most of their players. Not sure about his fitness, but Fatty Vautin would also do a good (one-eyed) job running the line.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Matth ,Kurt’s gunna be worn out at training covering all those positions
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Is Anna gunna unleash those Toy Roaches to rev up the crowd
JJ
Guest
Matt there is zero chance AJ was going to play in the centre’s. He’ll be FB or 14.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Val won’t be needed when the Toads are down 40-4
danwain
Roar Rookie
Or Cleary and Tedesco, since Munster is your Tedesco?
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Val will nail that 45 metre field goal as and when needed, no one else in the league (apart from Reynolds) has proven to be the real deal in this department.