Kalyn Ponga lifts lid on brutal act from Billy Slater in major revelation about Reece Walsh

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has revealed he was 'gutted' not be selected for the 2023 State of Origin series with Queensland coach Billy Slater preferring Reece Walsh for the No.1 jersey. Last year, Walsh's move from the Warriors to the Broncos catapulted him into the argument for best NRL fullback having earned a shock Origin call-up under coach Slater.

Ponga was the incumbent fullback at the time for his state and had won player-of-the-match in Game 3 at Suncorp in 2022. There was plenty of debate on whether Slater would select Ponga or Walsh for the 2023 series.

The Knights fullback was the incumbent, but was coming off a string of concussion injuries heading into the 2023 series with plenty of doubt surrounding his fitness. And Slater opted to select Walsh to represent his state in the fullback role.

Walsh proved his superstar status having excelled in the first two games for Queensland to help his state win the series against Brad Fittler's NSW team. Walsh didn't play the third game because of suspension, which opened the door for Ponga to return in the fullback role.

However, Ponga opted to focus on club footy at the time having just returned from injury. This led to many people believing Ponga hadn't made himself unavailable for selection for the whole series.

Although Ponga has revealed his disappointment at not retaining his fullback jersey in the 2023 series after a phone call from Slater. Speaking to Matthew Johns and Cooper Johns on their Backstage Podcast, it was revealed Ponga was waiting for Slater's call about an Origin call-up in anticipation he would be representing his state again.

"I remember Jack and I were at dinner with you for the following series...you were waiting for the call from Slater," Cooper Johns said. "You got the call and when you came back, we could see how much the Queensland jersey meant to you. And you not getting picked for that series, how much it meant to you."

Ponga said his earliest memory of rugby league is watching State of Origin and the fullback admitted he was devastated not to have been selected again for Queensland in 2023 having helped the state to victory the previous year."Winning that game three at Suncorp, I hope I win a premiership, but I don't think there is a bigger high," Ponga said.

"I was pretty gutted when I think of all that. I understood his decision. I back Billy Slater and I back Queensland."

Calls grow for Kalyn Ponga's State of Origin return

Ponga and Walsh were once again in a battle for the No.1 jersey in 2024, but Walsh got the nod after another injury for the Knights fullback ruled him out for Game 1 and 2. Ponga was selected for Game 3 in a utility role as he returned from injury, but it wasn't enough as Slater suffered his first series defeat as Queensland coach.

However, Ponga returned to club footy and was in tremendous form having helped the Knights make the top eight. And calls are growing once again for Ponga to return to the No.1 jersey with Walsh's form slightly dipping for Queensland and the Broncos after a rollercoaster year.

The Yahoo Sports Australia poll suggests more fans want Ponga as fullback for Queensland in 2025 than Walsh. However, Slater is a huge fan of Walsh having praised the Broncos star's work ethic in the past.

Billy Slater praises Reece Walsh amid Broncos deal

New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has his hands full with Walsh in 2025 with the fullback already returning early to training to kick-start his preparation for the upcoming NRL season. And Maguire can take notice of Queensland coach Slater's prediction on Walsh.

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The 22-year-old is expected to sign a new deal with the Broncos in the coming weeks and Slater feels this $5 million contract could propel him to greatness, while also slapping down the young fullback's critics. “Reece is 22 years old and the next 125 games are going to be with the Broncos, so that will take him to a 200-game player," Slater said on his Channel 9 podcast.

“You think about where you get your game to from 75 games to 200 games, that’s a great chunk of your career and the Broncos are going to see the best of Reece Walsh over the next five years. It’s a great result from the Broncos, there’s not many guys like Reece Walsh running around in the game. For the next five years, he doesn’t have to think about contracts, he just has to think, ‘I can go after the next five years’.”