Billy Slater backs rising star Kalyn Ponga as his Queensland successor

Queensland Origin great Billy Slater believes Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga must be the man to inherit his Maroons fullback spot for this years series.

Kalyn Ponga in action during game 2 of the State of Origin series between NSW and Queensland at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Pics Adam Head

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Queensland Maroons great Billy Slater believes his Origin No. 1 jersey should be inherited by whiz kid Kalyn Ponga this year.

The Newcastle Knights’ five-eighth will launch his 2019 season in the unfamiliar No. 6 jersey when they take on the Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Ponga, 20, will partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves on Friday night as he begins his transition from fullback to five-eighth.

The limelight has been on the youngster leading into their season opener following his breakout year with the Knights in 2018.

His scintillating form led to him making his debut for Queensland in Game Two last year, where he played off the bench for 52 minutes and racked up 29 tackles.

Ahead of Friday’s clash, former Maroons fullback Slater said his No. 1 jersey should be passed on to Ponga.

Ponga made his Origin debut alongside Slater last year. Picture by Adam Head.

“If you were picking the team now, you’d go … Kalyn Ponga at fullback,” he said.

“There’s the challenge for him having played No. 6 for the Knights and then jumping into the fullback position.

“I don’t think his attack would change a whole heap. I think it’s more his positional stuff and being on top of that and making sure your reaction and positional placement is on. He’s a good enough player to do that. The classy players can chop and change positions and not let it faze them.

“It doesn’t really matter what number he plays in. He’s just that type of player that you want in your team. He just creates something for players, he creates something for himself.”

Queensland will be looking to claim back the Origin shield after their 2-1 loss to New South Wales in last year’s series.

Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans was resurrected back into the Maroons squad in Game Three, to help Queensland avoid a 3-0 whitewash at Suncorp Stadium.

Ponga could take over for Slater. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Slater said Queensland had plenty of young options coming through the ranks to play Origin this year.

“I think Cherry-Evans just added stability, experience and direction,” he said.

“I was quite impressed with him. Kalyn, I would assume, would slot into the fullback role. But you’ve got (Cowboys halfback Michael) Morgan, who was injured through that Origin period, he’s had a full preseason under his belt. We saw in 2017 what he did when he had the responsibility of the Cowboys on his shoulders. (Melbourne Storm’s) Cameron Munster is another one who can play fullback.

“So there’s a lot of options that (Queensland coach) Kev Walters and the selectors have at their disposal. It probably will be determined the first ten rounds and see how that goes.”

Originally published as Billy Slater backs rising star Kalyn Ponga as his Queensland successor