Kalyn Ponga move sparks backlash against Knights: 'Got it wrong'
Another NRL head knock for Kalyn Ponga and being overlooked for Origin has left the Knights to make a decision many have been demanding for weeks.
The Newcastle Knights have copped fierce criticism after finally deciding to move highly-paid star Kalyn Ponga from five-eighth back to fullback, a move NRL observers had been calling for throughout the season. The Knights had been left in a difficult position after Ponga missed several games earlier this season through concussion, with Lachie Miller excelling at fullback in his stead.
Ponga was switched to five-eighth in order to allow the in-form Miller to remain in place, however the 25-year-old will don the No.1 jersey once more when the Knights take on the Sea Eagles. A head knock Ponga suffered last round against Cronulla is believed to be part of the reason why the Knights have finally moved him back to his preferred position.
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Despite an alarming recent history of concussions, Ponga was cleared to play out the second half of Newcastle's loss to the Knights. However that knock and the ongoing concern over Ponga's concussion history is believed to have been a factor in Queensland coach Billy Slater overlooking Ponga for State of Origin.
The belated switch back to fullback for the Knights has been interpreted among some commentators as being an admission that the club got the position switch for Ponga wrong. The Daily Telegraph's David Riccio said it had been a factor in Slater's decision-making for Origin.
“I’m not going to sit here and question the medical staff of the Newcastle Knights, however there was certainly a lot of post-match discussion from people at that ground that suggested Kalyn Ponga should have never returned to that football field,” Riccio told Fox League. “That has filtered back to Billy Slater and that was absolutely the reason that Billy wasn’t willing to take that risk, two minutes into an Origin match, with Kalyn Ponga.”
Fellow panellist Paul Crawley said switching Ponga to fullback this far into the season was little short of an admission from Newcastle's part that their attempt to play both Ponga and Miller had backfired.
“You know what it is? It’s an admission that they (the Knights) got it wrong,” Crawley said. “You had a world class fullback, you’ve moved him to five-eighth.
He’s copped that knock earlier in the season they’ve gone against a lot of people’s opinions to move him straight back to fullback, they’ve stuck with him (at five-eighth) and he’s copped another knock and now they’ve dropped him back to fullback. Lachie Miller was there, but he’s not Kalyn Ponga, he’s just not.”
Kalyn Ponga dropped for Origin in favour of Reece Walsh
Despite giving a strong appraisal of Ponga last weekend, Slater opted to select Broncos ace Reece Walsh ahead of the Knights star. Ponga's axing as the No.1 comes after he was Queensland's best player in last year's thrilling decider win, in what doubled as arguably his finest hour on the football field.
Maroons and Kangaroos five-eighth Cameron Munster was sure either of the two players will do the job in the Maroons jersey. "Hopefully Kalyn is good and his head is alright. If he is, then I am sure he will be ready and raring to go," Munster said.
"Regardless of who is playing fullback we have got electrifying players. Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga are great assets for our team and provide X factor."
Ponga's axing was one of several crucial calls made by Maroons selectors in the unveiling of a team captained by halfback Daly Cherry-Evans for the fifth straight series. Munster and Cherry-Evans were a lock for the Maroons having steered the team to numerous Origin series titles, including in 2022.
Veteran Dane Gagai also lost his spot in the side after 21 games in the Maroons jersey. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will partner Valentine Holmes in the centres.
Felise Kaufusi's looming ban for a high shot and the omission of Kurt Capewell, who was under an injury cloud, saw both Jai Arrow and David Fifita recalled. Tom Gilbert was a lock for the back row position.
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