As Kalyn Ponga awaited head coach Billy Slater’s announcement for the Queensland Maroons squad, he felt the tension of potentially missing out on selection. After losing the No.1 jersey to Reece Walsh on five occasions, the opening game of the 2025 series presents Ponga with a critical opportunity to cement his place, particularly after his role off the bench in last year’s series defeat.
Named back in his favoured fullback position for the first time since 2022, Ponga stepped into the role following Walsh’s knee injury, providing him a chance to showcase his talent once again. In his previous match as fullback, Ponga excelled, earning man of the match honours with impressive stats, including three line breaks, one try, and 16 tackle breaks.
Ponga, however, expressed uncertainty leading up to the announcement, admitting he was anxious about whether he would receive the call, particularly with speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow mentioned as a possible alternative.
“I was a bit nervous, to be honest,” the 27-year-old shared. “You never really know. You have to earn the jersey, and I was definitely happy with the call I got and happy to be in camp.” After facing significant challenges, including time away from the game due to concussion issues, Ponga was determined to reclaim the Maroons No.1 jersey and proved his commitment to deliver strong performances throughout the series.
Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged moments where he had to take a step back and appreciate the game from a fan’s perspective, particularly during Queensland’s last series win, during which he felt envious yet proud of his teammates. The excitement of being back in the Maroons camp was palpable, and Ponga expressed relief that his concussion worries were behind him.
Working with Slater remains “surreal” for Ponga, as he recalls Slater’s own impactful career from when he debuted in the Origin arena. Ponga values Slater’s insights, especially about the fullback role, and emphasises how the coaching environment contributes to his growth as a player.
While acknowledging New South Wales’ success in the previous year, Ponga dismissed the notion of the Maroons being labelled as underdogs. “No doubt NSW have a great team. It will be a good battle,” he stated, demonstrating confidence in his squad’s capability as they gear up to reclaim their dominance in the State of Origin series.
As the opening matchup approaches, Ponga is focused on performing well and bringing his best to the team, driven by a strong desire to earn his place and make a significant impact.