Kalyn Ponga withdraws from State of Origin race to replace Reece Walsh

Kalyn Ponga has taken himself out of the race to replace Maroons fullback Reece Walsh in Origin III, reports Peter Badel and David Riccio.

Kalyn Ponga has ruled himself out of an Origin return. Picture:

Titans ace AJ Brimson is on the verge of a Queensland recall after Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga withdrew from the race to replace suspended Maroons fullback Reece Walsh in Origin III.

Ponga told this masthead he is not available for Game Three – opening the door for Brimson to spearhead Queensland’s ruthless quest for a 3-0 clean sweep at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday week.

It is understood Queensland coach Billy Slater contacted Ponga to inquire about his Origin status after Walsh was hit with a three-game suspension that wiped him out of the Homebush dead rubber.

Ponga, last year’s Game Three hero at Suncorp, was a shock omission for Origin I and it later emerged the Maroons maestro had advised Slater he would stand down for the entire 2023 series due to his concussion battles.

Kalyn Ponga has informed Billy Slater he will not be available for Origin III. Picture: Adam Head

Walsh’s scratching prompted Slater to reach out to Ponga for a Game Three comeback, but the Knights skipper insists he won’t be reneging on his original decision.

“I’ve spoken to Billy,” said Ponga, who will lead the Knights into Sunday’s clash against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.

“I’m going to stay with the decision I made.”

That puts Brimson in pole position for the Queensland No.1 jumper and he can seal his selection with a strong performance for the Titans in Saturday’s clash against the Raiders in Canberra.

The 24-year-old has been in Queensland’s system – he was 18th man in Origin II a fortnight ago – and was outstanding in the Titans’ boilover of the Broncos last Sunday, running for 167 metres in the Coast’s 18-12 upset.

Another fullback option is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who has been brilliant for the Dolphins in the backfield this season and starred for the Maroons at centre in the opening two games of this year’s series.

But Maroons hierarchy are reluctant to make too many changes to their backline, with Brimson in the box seat to replace Walsh and ‘The Hammer’ tipped to remain at centre.

Alex Brimson (c) last played Origin in 2020. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has moved Tabuai-Fidow to the centres for Saturday night’s clash against the Broncos and he believes the 21-year-old should stay there for Queensland.

“I think Hammer would definitely do the job at fullback, but I think Billy will either go back to Ponga or maybe Brimson and leave his backline like it is,” Bennett said.

“If Billy moves Hammer to fullback, he is down a centre and has to find another centre, so I don’t think he will want to make two changes.

“Queensland aren’t flush with centres, so I think Billy will keep him at centre.”

Brimson’s call-up would end a patient two-year Origin wait for the explosive ball runner after a frustrating injury battle.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has dominated State of Origin as a centre. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Titans dynamo made his Queensland debut at fullback in the Covid-ravaged series of 2020, only for Brimson to suffer a season-ending foot injury in the Maroons’ 18-14 win at Adelaide Oval.

Brimson played two games off the bench in the 2021 series and would relish an Origin resurrection as the Maroons chase their first ‘Blue Rinse’ since 2010.

“I did some specific stuff with Billy and ‘Walshy’, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can during my time in camp,” Brimson said after being chosen as 18th man for Origin II.

“My role is just to slot in where I can.

“I can play a number of positions, so I’m ready for any role Queensland have for me.”

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga withdraws from State of Origin race to replace Reece Walsh