NRL world unloads on Kalyn Ponga as calls mount for Billy Slater to swing the Origin axe

Queensland Maroons superstar Kalyn Ponga again struggled on the biggest stage as calls mount for Billy Slater to make the hard call.

Superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga may have played his last game in a Maroons jersey after putting in yet another underwhelming display in the State of Origin arena.

Coming into Wednesday night’s Origin series opener, there was a sense that the 27-year-old was playing for his Origin career, with Reece Walsh set to be back available for selection for Game 2, with his return from a knee injury pencilled in for next weekend.

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Ponga has had a year to forget in clubland to date, with Newcastle struggling for wins and Ponga’s attack floundering.

As the Knights’ focal point in attack and the NRL’s highest-paid player, Ponga is incredibly still yet to score a try in the NRL in 2025, has just six try assists and only four line breaks.

Many believed he would thrive with more quality around him in the Maroons side.

But on Wednesday night, he was arguably one of the worst on the field as Queensland slumped to an 18-6 defeat, in one of their worst collective performances in recent memory.

The fullback took the most runs out of any Queensland player, 21, but only managed 163m and struggled to create any real impact.

And by full time fans were calling for Billy Slater to axe the No. 1 for the remainder of the series, with Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow floated as potential replacements.

“Ponga is the highest-paid rugby league player in the world. He is also the most overrated. Not even the sixth best fullback in the NRL,” one fan wrote following his performance in Origin 1.

Kalyn Ponga has been slammed after struggling to make an impact in Game 1. Image: Getty

“Can someone explain the hype about Kalyn Ponga. He’s been around for years and I’ve never seen him do anything incredible,” another added.

“Seriously. How bad is Kaylan Ponga! The most overrated player in the competition,” a third wrote. 

While others said it was the “worst Origin performance of all time” and “he must be dropped after this”.

Will Queensland drop Kalyn Ponga?

Queensland famously adheres to a ‘pick and stick’ mentality that stretches back to the beginning of Origin some 45 years ago.

However, after going missing in another big game, Slater may be left with no choice but to axe Ponga.

Despite Walsh’s injury, many were still surprised Ponga got the nod at fullback for Game 1, given he is so badly out of form, with Slater picking him on his reputation.

Ponga has struggled to get the Knights’ attack clicking in 2025.

But in his absence last week, his replacement Fletcher Sharpe, got Newcastle humming, as they put 25 points on the Panthers to register only their second win since Round 2.

Reece Walsh (left) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (right) are in contention for the Queensland No. 1 spot. Image: Getty

But while some may argue this year is just a rough patch for the Knights superstar, he has never really stood out in Origin.

In Game 3 of 2022, Ponga won Player of the Match, scoring a solo try and recording a match-high 299 run meters.

However, that was arguably the only standout performance of his Origin career and is the only time he has crossed the line for the Maroons.

And after Wednesday night, it became glaringly obvious that changes need to be made, most notably at fullback.

Most likely Slater will revert back to his No. 1 choice Walsh at fullback as he returns from injury.

While Tabuai-Fidow could also be an option at the back.

Ahead of Game 2, Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo will be back in the Origin frame as well, meaning either the Hammer or even Valentine Holmes could push back to fullback, with either Taulagi or Cobbo slotting onto the wing.

Originally published as NRL world unloads on Kalyn Ponga as calls mount for Billy Slater to swing the Origin axe