Queensland Maroons superstar Kalyn Ponga is adamant the concussion woes that threatened his career are behind him, and he harbours no fears of stepping back into the State of Origin furnace as the state’s number one fullback.
The Newcastle skipper faced the prospect of early retirement when he suffered four concussions in a 10-month period, eventually flying to Canada in 2023 to consult a specialist.
While he returned to the Maroons’ fold in game three last year off the bench, the May 28 series launch at Suncorp Stadium will be his first foray in the No.1 jumper since his man of the match heroics in the 2022 decider.
Kalyn Ponga says the concussion concerns that threatened his career are behind him as he returns to Origin.Credit: Getty Images
The man who replaced him, Reece Walsh, was knocked out seven minutes into game one last year. A similar ploy to target the Knights’ marquee man could leave him vulnerable, given his history.
However, Ponga said while there was a time when playing again was the furthest thing from his mind, he held no health concerns heading into the looming baptism of fire.
“Footy was pretty far away at one point. During that period, I guess I was pretty grateful just to be playing footy and to be back,” Ponga said.
“Queensland won that series, Reece played well, so I was sitting there as a fan. I sat back and enjoyed watching as just a proud fan, and that was awesome.
“I was envious and wanted to be out there, but we support each other. I’m definitely happy to be back, and those worries are behind me in terms of the concussion stuff.”
Ponga’s future in the Origin furnace had already been a talking point this year, when New Zealand coach Stacey Jones endorsed the 26-year-old for an allegiance shift (both his parents are of Kiwi heritage).
He has only played for Australia at the 2019 World Cup 9s, as did fellow Maroon AJ Brimson, who has been approved by the International Rugby League tribunal to represent England.
But Ponga was unwilling to entertain any long-term ambitions.
“I can tell you, I’m not thinking about that right now; I can tell you, I’m looking forward to this week in Maroons camp,” he said.
“It’s an exciting week and my energy is here.”
Ponga is determined to feed off Maroons coach and champion fullback Billy Slater to not only bring out his best football for the state, but inspire a season turnaround for the Knights.
He has been his harshest critic this year, with Newcastle sitting 15th after losing seven of their past eight games.
But he believes Slater – who was relishing the “exciting challenge” of “helping him be at his best” – will help him rediscover his Midas touch.
“Every time I come into this camp, and then coming out of it, you come out a better player,” Ponga said.
“I’ll definitely try and take some pieces of gold back with me. He continues to grow as a coach, and his knowledge about the game and the fullback position is worth me picking at.
“His attention to detail on both sides of the footy … he’s given me some things I hadn’t even really thought about, more from a technical point of view.
“It’s been tough at clubland, we were working hard there, but when I come into these camps, it’s a different feel. Hopefully, I can take some things back to clubland and change the results.”
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