Queensland Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga says he does not feel any pressure to justify his selection ahead of Broncos rival Reece Walsh, as he declared he was in a better position than ever before to make an impression in the State of Origin furnace.
The Newcastle skipper surged ahead in the pecking order for the No.1 jersey courtesy of his unbeaten form for the Knights, where he is yet to lose a game in 2026 either side of a hamstring injury suffered in round two.
It was widely expected that Walsh, the incumbent Kangaroos custodian and reigning Clive Churchill medallist, would add to his five Queensland caps, only for his own performances to be halted by a fractured cheekbone.
Ponga, in contrast, has been on a tear since returning from a seven-week absence, running for more than 200 metres in each of his side’s three wins since making his comeback.
The 28-year-old expressed his respect for Walsh, and denied that his selection would come with greater expectations to perform.
“I think being selected, you earn the jersey. I’ve got a lot of respect for Reece and that’s probably why I won’t touch on that topic too much,” Ponga said.
“I’m here to do a job, I know the footy I can play and am playing at the moment, and I want to take that into next Wednesday.
“That’s all I have been focusing on – doing my job at the Knights, making sure we win games there.”
Until the Queensland team was unveiled, it was believed both Ponga and Walsh would coexist in the same side, with the former heavily tipped to take on halfback duties in the absence of Tom Dearden (syndesmosis).
Ponga said he had expected that call, and would have flourished in the role had it come his way, before the job ultimately went to Sam Walker at Walsh’s expense.
“I know what I’m like – if that was the challenge that was ahead of me I would’ve tuned in and got my head on, focused on it and prepared as best I can,” Ponga said.
“The way I play fullback is a little bit like a half, my role at Knights is in that first receiver, second receiver type of role. Obviously, there’s a difference between fullback and half, and that’s the defence side of things, and that’s probably something I wouldn’t be used to.
“But with the footy, it would be pretty similar to how I play.”
Maroons coach Billy Slater suggested on Monday that Ponga was in “a real sweet spot in his career and life”.
Ponga, winner of the Dally M Medal in 2023, said he had found an appreciation for the game and a weekly routine that would trigger his greatest exploits in the Maroons jersey.
“I think I care a lot more about my footy … as you get older you start to appreciate everything a lot more,” he said.
“Time starts to run out a little bit, you value things a lot more, so I think all those things add up and come together. All I can really control is my preparation, my recovery and how I go about my weeks and getting myself in the best mental frame to perform.”
Ponga and Queensland debutant Briton Nikora will become Queensland’s first players to benefit from the NRL’s Origin eligibility rule changes, which enables New Zealand and England Test players to be selected, provided they began playing junior rugby league before their 13th birthday in their respective states.
That has opened the door for Ponga to shift allegiances from Australia to the Kiwis, while Nikora – who has worn the black jumper 15 times – will get his maiden chance in the Origin cauldron.
“For me and my footy jersey that’s where it all began. I know how much it means to small towns, kids, anyone really that’s in Queensland,” Ponga said.
“A lot of who I am has been in Queensland, my culture is the Kiwis, but I represent both. It’s special … I didn’t think that opportunity would arise, but it obviously did, and I’m grateful I could take it.
“My job obviously is to wear this proud, represent Queensland proud. I’m not sure if I’ll get to wear the Kiwi jersey, but at least it’s an option. I want to represent this jersey the way I know I can.”
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