The battle for the Queensland No.1 jersey is on and coach Billy Slater says two rising stars are improving fast as they look to stake a claim for this year’s State of Origin series.
With little more than four weeks until the side is named for game one of the series in Adelaide on May 31, Brisbane’s Reece Walsh and the Dolphins’ Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are looking to keep the heat on incumbent Maroons No.1 Kalyn Ponga.
After seven rounds Walsh had eight try assists, five line breaks and four tries. Over the same period, Tabuai-Fidow, known as ‘Hammer’, had notched two try assists, four line breaks and eight tries.
“They have been brilliant and both have done a great job for their clubs,” Slater told AAP, who also highlighted the work being done by AJ Brimson at the Titans. “It is a tough one for them – I know that position better than any other on the field.
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“I can see their growth areas in the fundamentals of the position and not just in the highlights we see regularly that get us out of our seats, which is great.”
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Slater was impressed with the way Tabuai-Fidow handled a challenging 2022 at North Queensland and has kicked on under Wayne Bennett this year.
“He had a tough 12 months,” Slater said of the Dolphins player. “He had the No.1 jersey for the Cowboys in the first month of footy last year. Then he gets injured and Scott Drinkwater never gave it back. That’s the way footy goes sometimes.
“He got an opportunity to go to the Dolphins under Wayne and he’s really grown as a player.”
The Queensland coach said Brisbane’s Walsh has shown his willingness to get in front of attackers and put himself where he needs to be as he works on the defensive side of his game.
“With Reece, when you are talking about defensive plays as a fullback, he is putting his body on the line and being courageous,” Slater said.
Reece Walsh celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“He is starting to get himself into good positions defensively as well and when you get that part of your game sorted you can help your team get in really good positions defensively.
“I see growth in both those players in that area.”
Ahead of Friday night’s clash with Parramatta in Darwin, Broncos coach Kevin Walters said Walsh had made a strong case for State of Origin selection.
“He’d be in my Queensland team but I’m not the coach so that’s up to Billy Slater and the selectors,” the former Maroons mentor said. “He’s progressing really well for us, Walshy, and all the work he’s been doing is terrific.
“He’s got to maintain that, and (then) all the rep teams and the pathway will look after itself. He’s a real footy-head, studies the game … he’s always thinking about footy.”
Cowboys put target on Ponga in return game
North Queensland have vowed to target Kalyn Ponga in Saturday’s clash as the Newcastle captain marks his return from a five-game stint on the sidelines due to concussion.
Ponga will bring up a milestone 100th NRL match back where his career began when the 3-3 Knights search for their first win in Townsville since 2015.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten says he’s watched the opposition closely in 2023 and acknowledged Newcastle’s revamped confidence, embodied by a strong back five and surging forward pack.
Kalyn Ponga leaves the field. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
But when Townsville’s prodigal son returns for his first game since round two, bodies will head his way.
“We’re going to send some traffic his way defensively,” Payten said on Friday.
“He hasn’t played for a while but I don’t think their shapes will change.
“Some of his habits is he likes to skip across the field and get into our edge – we have to hold width and trust our principles.”
Ponga was cleared to return after a trip to Canada where he underwent tests following his fourth concussion in 10 months, suffered against Wests Tigers in round two.
He has been named at five-eighth and in the frontline defensively, pushing Tyson Gamble to the bench.
Kurt Mann also comes into the starting side for Saturday’s clash with Jacob Saifiti back from a four-game suspension via the interchange.
The Cowboys will be without co-captain Jason Taumalolo who went under the knife this week to fix up a knee cartilage issue, with Jordan McLean covering that hole after returning from a hamstring injury.
Payten said McLean’s inclusion was a huge boost for his side that had 11 players either injured or suspended through seven rounds of 2023.
The Cowboys coach said it hampered their continuity and consistency, but his overall message against the Knights was to play relaxed even with their season teetering at 2-5.
“Its an important game for us within the context of our season, we’re all aware of that and we need to play well,” Payten added.
“I just need them to stay relaxed, stay in the game, stay in the moment, keep turning up for each other and keep fighting.”
Cam
Roar Rookie
Ponga probably misses out. If Reece Walsh continues with his current form, he picks himself, especially with Ponga playing in the halves and being out injured for 5 weeks. Hunt starts at hooker with Grant playing the 14 roll. No spot for Ponga unless injury?
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The thing is he has options . I don't think Ponga is an option at moment . Billy will will work it out .
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I would think Ponga hasn't had enough game time but I guess there's still a few weeks to go. He is however playing a different position in those weeks. I think Hammer has earned the right - he's been fantastic for the Fins
Tetley
Roar Rookie
It's a tough decision to make for a competitive young dude, at the peak of his athletic powers, adored by fans, making truck loads of money, and still with goals to reach in the game. But yeah, I get where you're coming from.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Slater wants to know who wants it more.
Tetley
Roar Rookie
Agree but if Ponga gets concussed any time between here and Origin, I reckon his suitability - based on injury - will come up. Although if it does happen I suspect the topic won't just be Origin but potentially sitting out of the game for a while.
GB
Roar Rookie
When you look at Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Kayln Ponga one player tries to be involved for 100% of the game, another for 50% - 60% of the game and the third for less than 10% of the game. You figure out which is which. As a Blues fan I urge Slater to go with the third option. :laughing:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Can not understand why Ponga does not walk away, he has made more coin at the Knights than most of us make in a lifetime. Pride ?,Family pressure? club pressure? Put the money in the bank, play union 7's, or touch Enjoy a nice life with family and friends, and be able to remember it !
Phil
Roar Rookie
I'm glad I'm not a QLD selector. Walsh and Hammer have played superb footy for their clubs and both are good enough for SOO however If Ponga is fit, being the incumbent, he will get the job. Referring to the above line saying when Townsville's prodigal son returns, the author has used a demeaning adjective to describe Ponga. He hasn't been wasteful in anyway since he left NQ.
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't think you can plan a team based on potential injuries. If I've got Hammer on the wing/center that covers FB and Capes fills in there.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
I listen to Billy's podcast a lot Nat, this is where the quotes come from. He's leaning slightly towards Hammer out of the two reading between the lines . I think they both fade a bit at the end of the games sometimes though. Ponga is still in the mix like you say, with the runs on the board. Brimson, Ponga and Hammer have all proved that they can handle Origin. With all the injuries in the pack we've blooded a lot of forwards as well over the last few years. And most of the new players have been very good. Billy watches all the Queenslanders and he'll pick on form mostly. And it's not about the highlights or the standard stat's, he's looking for the basics and the uncounted effort plays as well. We would struggle to find a better rep coach/analyst and selector.
Tetley
Roar Rookie
Ponga has been great in Origin but man a lot of guys got KO'd last year. It would cause a bit of chaos to lose your fullback. Is there an element of risk management in this decision? Do you go with someone who doesn't have a history of concussions? I'm sure those questions will be asked.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Hammer on the wing? I think the Maroons are going to need some speed in the backline as well as big bodies if you're going to have Turbo and Mitchell in the centers for NSW. Last year Ponga was a huge difference but since he's been injured an also playing 6 not sure if the is up to the rigors of Origin fullback. With his concussion issues the safe play might be to not have him in it at all as losing a player in an Origin game is a big deal in a closely fought contest. Hammer has played center at Origin as well so that might be an option. Has the speed and size to match Turbo.
Nat
Roar Guru
Not a bad headache for Billy to have. Although if Ponga stays fit through to selection time the jersey is still his. I'd still find a spot for Hammer where Walsh really is best at FB.