Kalyn Ponga offers glimpse of Queensland’s future

WELCOME to Origin. Debutant Kalyn Ponga has guaranteed himself a long future in the Maroons jersey.

Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Adam Head

QUEENSLAND debutant Kalyn Ponga has guaranteed himself a long future in the Maroons jersey after making a solid debut at ANZ Stadium.

While the 20-year-old whizkid could not inspire Queensland to the much-needed win, he did plenty to show he is an Origin star in the making.

It was never his job to be the saviour, but at least he can be the hope moving forward.

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Kalyn Ponga nearly stole the game for Queensland in his Origin debut. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

After a gritty introduction to Origin football in the first half, Ponga brought his attacking flair in the second stanza, showing quickly how well he could gel with his new teammates, particularly Billy Slater.

It was a fitting display from the pair, with Slater the man who made all the difference for Queensland.

For Maroons fans, it was a chance to celebrate the veteran fullback ahead of his looming Origin retirement but also an insight into the future.

That future is Ponga.

Kalyn Ponga will have a huge future for the Maroons. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Billy Slater was the dominant player early in the game and will be the player who Kalyn Ponga will be taking over at fullback.

When he ran out into ANZ Stadium, he looked cool and calm.

He did a 360 degree turn, clearly taking in the atmosphere and the hostile crowd.

For the first 28 minutes he watched from the sideline, before being brought into the action for Jarrod Wallace.

Greg Inglis was a dominant force for the Maroons.

A lot of questions were asked during the week as to how Queensland would use Ponga and how many minutes he would get.

The trust coach Kevin Walters had in the young talent however was clear, as he played for a surprising 53 minutes in a similar role to Queensland’s utilities of the past.

While he is known for the excitement he brings in attack – producing a brilliant run in the 69th minute in the lead up to James Roberts’ sin-binning – Ponga also impressed in defence.

A number of critics doubted he would be up to the task of matching NSW in the middle of the field and he will not shy away from the fact he missed five tackles.

But he was not alone in that and he also made an inspiring 26 tackles.

He had one hiccup after just two minutes on the field, when the overeager Ponga was penalised for being offside, but also produced one particularly massive hit on Tom Trbojevic in the dying minutes of the first half.

Kalyn Ponga, welcome to State of Origin.

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Originally published as Kalyn Ponga offers glimpse of Queensland’s future