Kalyn Ponga ruled out of State of Origin III after foot injury in Knights v Raiders clash

Maroons coach Billy Slater will be sweating on Reece Walsh getting through his match against the Warriors following the news that first choice fullback Kalyn Ponga has been ruled out of the State of Origin decider.

Queensland star Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin decider in a blow for the Maroons.

The selection door has sensationally swung open for a Reece Walsh comeback in Origin III with Ponga to be ruled out of the Sydney decider at Accor Stadium on Wednesday week.

The Knights captain left the field with pain in his foot in the 60th minute of Newcastle’s narrow 22-18 loss to the Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

The Maroons fullback had scans after the injury and it confirmed that Ponga had suffered a Lisfranc injury.

The Knights have confirmed the results of Ponga’s scans is a Lisfranc injury.

“Knights Captain Kalyn Ponga underwent scans this morning to assess an injury suffered in the 2nd half,’’ a club statement read.

“The Knights and QLD fullback has been diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury.

Kalyn Ponga has been ruled out of Origin 3 - is yet to get scan results back on his foot but Knights fear it’s a Lisfranc injury (via @badel_cmail)

If midfoot sprain confirmed a high grade injury would require surgery & 10+ weeks recovery - a more minor sprain is often 2-6 weeks pic.twitter.com/SQoPXc8WnL

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 27, 2025

“Ponga will begin his rehabilitation with Knights medical staff, with the view of returning to play in the back end of the season.”

Kalyn Ponga left the stadium in a moon boot after suffering a foot injury. Picture: Getty Images

The outstanding fullback suffered a Lisfranc injury last season on his opposite foot which saw him undergo surgery and miss 11 weeks of football.

The injury scare will thrust Broncos fullback Walsh into consideration for a stunning comeback to inspire a Maroons fightback in Sydney.

Walsh plays against the Warriors Saturday and a bumper game will seal his return to Camp Maroon. Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is another fullback option for Slater.

An unabashed fan of Walsh, Slater will find it hard to resist the 22-year-old if he carves up former club the Warriors and Broncos coach Michael Maguire, NSW’s series-winning mentor last season, says ‘Reece Lightning’ is primed to strike in Origin III.

Reece Walsh is the man most likely to replace Ponga. Picture: NRL Photos

“Last week he took a massive step into where I think he’s ready (for the Origin decider),” Maguire said of Walsh, who damaged his posterior cruciate ligament against the Warriors in round 7.

“I think he’s done that in the last couple of weeks.

“It’s just a matter of where the opportunity arises for him (to play for Queensland).

“Reece works really hard at his game. He’s actually good to have around.

“He just loves talking footy and he’s definitely my style (of player).

“We get to sit down and work out how we want to game plan and play.

“Whilst he’s doing that, I think he’s got plenty of good footy in front of him and opportunities.”

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga ruled out of State of Origin III after foot injury in Knights v Raiders clash