'Best debut in Origin history': Andrew Johns' historic compliment

Andrew Johns has made a stunning call in the aftermath of the Blues series-winning victory over the Maroons in game two.

The legendary Blues halfback, who knows a thing or two about rugby league’s greatest rivalry, shared some thoughts on Monday afternoon in an Instagram post about the big match.

Johns congratulated the Blues for the win, and Queensland for their effort, but then caused a major stir with a truly massive call in his Instagram post.

“Kalyn Ponga best debut in origin history,” Johns wrote.

A truly incredible call from the eighth immortal that confirms the Knights fullback is truly a once in a generation talent.

Considering the hundreds of Origin debuts Johns has witnessed in his time in the game, including those of Cameron Smith and Darren Lockyer, that puts the 20-year-old above truly elite company.

Ponga drew great praise on Wednesday night for playing 60 minutes in the middle of the field.

Not only was the speedster a threat on the edges, almost scoring off a blistering line break, he held his own with his work in the middle, even leaving Tom Trbojevic winded with a huge hit in the first half.

While Queensland may be conceding their Origin dominance to a new wave of young Blues, they know for sure they’ve got a superstar who can take Billy Slater’s fullback jersey and perform brilliantly over at least the next decade.

Slater passes on the baton

Billy Slater will trudge off into State of Origin retirement knowing his beloved Queensland No.1 jersey is in safe hands when he passes the baton to heir apparent Kalyn Ponga.

Slater admits he was lost for words as he marvelled at the Newcastle phenom’s blistering performance during his Maroons debut in Sunday’s 18-14 loss to NSW at ANZ Stadium.

While the Maroons suffered just their second series loss in 14 years, the emergence of Ponga has left everyone assured Queensland’s future remains bright.

With Slater returning from a hamstring injury, the young fullback was picked on the bench and asked to perform as a roving utility.

It is universally accepted he will inherit the custodian’s role next year and he gave the world a taste of his potential after coming on midway through the first half.

Even defending in the front line – something the Knights fullback has rarely done during his NRL career – he rarely missed a beat.

Standing on Queensland’s left edge, he made 26 tackles. By comparison, he has made just 81 tackles during his 24 NRL appearances.

He also created constant headaches for the Blues defence and in the second half looked to be sailing to the tryline for the match-winner but was cut down by James Tedesco.

“Brilliant. I’m lost for words commenting on (Ponga’s) performance tonight,” Slater told AAP

“He got thrown into a foreign position in the middle of the field and his defence was as good as anyone’s.

“He just wanted to get involved. He got the footy, he ran the footy.

“He just has a great attitude to go along with his talent. He’s got a big future. We all know that don’t we. That was certainly reassured tonight.”

Slater will draw a curtain on his 15-year Origin career after next month’s dead rubber at Suncorp Stadium.

Asked about his desire to go out an Origin winner, the 35-year-old said there was no room for sentimentality.

“I’ve never been one for it to be about me,” Slater said.

“The possibility of going up there and getting reward for the effort we’ve put in this year is more of a driving factor rather than doing it for me.”

With AAP