State of Origin 2023: Maroons stars Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai break silence on shock omissions

Knights stars Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai have spoken out about being overlooked for the Queensland squad ahead of Origin I, saying they respect the Maroons’ decision to swing the axe.

Kalyn Ponga’s concussion history played a big part in his Origin axing, with the Maroons nervous after a HIA in Round 12. Picture: Getty Images.

Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga says his priority is to play more games for the Knights rather than win back his Queensland jersey after revealing that Maroons coach Billy Slater didn’t feel comfortable picking him in the opening State of Origin game given his recent history of head knocks.

Ponga starred for Newcastye at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon, having been switched back to fullback after missing out on the Maroons side for Origin I.

Ponga, man of the match in the final game of last year’s Origin series, admitted he was disappointed to miss Origin selection but he quickly switched his focus back to club duties with the Knights, helping guide them to victory over Manly on Sunday afternoon.

While disappointed over his Origin axing, Kalyn Ponga says his focus is on playing for Knights, not the Maroons, as he continues his recovery from concussion. Picture: NRL Imagery.

“He (Slater) started the call with this is probably not the call you are expecting,” Ponga said.

“He just said I have had a tough couple of months. My concussions are an unfortunate part of my game. He just said he didn’t feel comfortable putting me out there next Wednesday.

“I said to him that I respect his decision, I am looking forward to the game and I wish you all the best.

“I was grateful that he was quite nice about the call. I respected his decision and ….. I just had to get over it. I had a job to do tonight. I knew I was playing fullback and wanted to enjoy that so I had a job to do.

“I have good support around me. As soon as I knew what the decision was from Billy I accepted it and respected it and moved on.

“Nothing I did out there was for Queensland, it was all for the Knights and for myself as well. I want to play games. I need to play a lot more footy and just be on the field.”

Ponga copped plenty of attention from Manly and was on the receiving end of several heavy knocks on Sunday afternoon - Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula was sin-binned late in the game for what was deemed a high shot on the Knights fullback.

Ponga copped several head knocks against the Sea Eagles in Round 13, but seemed unfazed by them all and able to play on. Picture: Getty Images.

The Knights superstar shook off the shot as he guided Newcastle to victory in the second half, playing a significant role in their comeback.

“I copped a couple early,” Ponga said.

“It is something that is part of my game at the moment. I just need to strong some gams together and hopefully that is in the past.

“I felt good to be honest. I copped a couple of knocks, I have had a few now and I know when I am no good.

“I just have to play games. I am fortunate that today I had a couple (of knocks) and obviously no effect. I felt fine. It is part of footy and a part of my game.

“I can’t worry about them. I can’t go into games worried about that. I wouldn’t stay on the field if I wasn’t right. They were just hits, I didn’t feel concussed or anything.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle centre Dane Gagai said the Maroons would have his full support in Adelaide after his shock axing for the opening game of the series.

The Maroons have confirmed that concerns over his concussion history did contribute to Ponga’s axing. Picture: Getty Images.

Gagai revealed he and Slater had a close relationshjp stretching back to 2015, when Slater presented him with his jersey before Gagai’s first appearance for the Maroons.

He went on to cryptically suggest that Slater was only one vote at the selection table, hinting that his omission may not have been a unanimous decision.

“What I will say is it wasn’t an easy call for Billy also because he was the one who presented me with my jersey in 2015, game three,” Gagai said,

“We formed a really good relationship when I did debut for Queensland and all through my Origin period his kids were a bit older than mine, and they always looked after (Gagai’s sons) Dante and Cruz.

“I let him know that he had my support. In saying that, there is a team that selects the Queensland side - it is not just Billy.

“Queensland is going to always pick the team they think is best to do the job. They will always have my full support. I think for me the hardest part for me was telling my son because he is a mad footy head.”

Dane Gagai admits his axing wouldn’t have been an easy call for Slater, and says he stands by the Maroons coach. Picture: Getty Images.

It was suggested that Gagai may have lost his spot after a poor defensive performance against the Sharks a week ago and while he acknowledged he had an off night, he insisted he had satisfied with his defensive performance this season.

However, he refused to be critical of the Maroons for his axing amid claims that they had been disloyal.

“I thought this year I have been pretty solid defensively,” he said.

“The Sharks game, once I missed that tackle on Connor Tracy, I was probably dirty on myself. I think that could have had something to do with it. In all fairness, I should have just made that tackle.

“That was one I should have made.”

EXCLUSIVE: WHY WE HAD TO DROP KALYN

—Peter Badel

Maroons selector Darren Lockyer insists Kalyn Ponga’s Origin career is not over as Queensland bosses lifted the lid on the reasons for his shock axing as fullback for Wednesday night’s series opener.

Queensland coach Billy Slater dropped a selection bombshell on Monday by dropping Ponga in favour of Broncos whiz-kid Reece Walsh for Origin I against NSW at Adelaide Oval.

Less than a year ago, Ponga was Queensland’s hero, emphatically burying criticism about his ability to deliver in big games by engineering the Maroons’ boilover of the Blues in last year’s Suncorp decider to clinch the Origin shield.

But amid Ponga’s Origin heroics, he has waged a worrying battle with head-trauma injuries. The Knights superstar has suffered four concussions in 11 months and copped another minor head knock in Newcastle’s loss to Cronulla last week.

Kalyn Ponga’s concussion history played a big part in his Origin axing, with the Maroons nervous after a HIA in Round 12. Picture: Getty Images.

While Ponga passed his HIA, alarm bells rang for Maroons hierarchy.

It is understood he was tentatively pencilled in for the Queensland No.1 jumper before the Knights-Sharks clash, but Maroons selectors were mindful of last year’s explosive start to Origin III, when three players were knocked out in the opening four minutes.

“Kalyn having the head knock (last) weekend was a factor,” Lockyer said.

“The weekend before that he played outstanding against the Titans and then he copped that head knock.

“When you look at game three last year, there were three HIAs in the first few minutes, so you have to consider the 18th and 19th man.

“They are a big part of selections now because there is a chance they can be activated in an Origin or NRL game.

Darren Lockyer (left) admits it was a big call to leave out the 2022 Game III man of the match, but the Maroons coaches are happy with the decision. Picture: NewsWire.

“It was a big decision to leave Kalyn out given how good he was last year, but the coaches talked about it and thought it through.

“We are all comfortable with the decision.

“We know that Reece under Billy’s guidance will be ready to play and do his job in Origin I.”

There is a view the Maroons have lost trust in Ponga’s ability to weather the physicality of an 80-minute Origin game and that there is a danger the 25-year-old will struggle to break back into the Queensland team.

But Lockyer insists Queensland hierarchy have not put a red line through Ponga.

“The door is not closed on Kalyn,” he said.

“The same goes for Dane Gagai (who was also dropped for Origin I).

“Those two guys have done a lot for the jersey and it’s up to them now how they respond.”

Asked if Ponga would have been picked had he not suffered a head knock against the Sharks, Lockyer said: “There was a lot of debate around Reece and Kalyn for weeks.

“There was no real decision made before the game.

Lockyer insists Ponga’s Origin career is not over. Picture: John Gass.

“The danger is you can jump at shadows a lot if you are picking teams two and three weeks out because you have suspensions and injuries, so you are better off waiting until all the games have been completed and you have all the available players before you for the final discussion.

“While there is a selection process, the coach respects the opinion of others and the coaching staff (Maroons assistants Josh Hannay, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston) were a part of it.

“It’s not a decision that was made easily and it wasn’t kneejerk.

“It was well thought out and we think it was the best decision for the team at this point in time.”

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said he was surprised by the axing of Ponga and Gagai and is concerned about the Knights captain’s welfare.

Daly Cherry-Evans admits he was surprised Ponga was left out. Picture: AAP.

“Those guys who didn’t make it are friends of mine,” he said.

“I have been in that position before, I can sympathise with those lads and I just hope they understand it’s not over for them.

“It’s a combination of a few things for Kalyn.

“I don’t know if any selections are hung on one thing, to get in the side, you have to do numerous things well, so it takes several things to not be in the side.

“With Kalyn’s head knocks, of course his health is his priority. I just hope he is OK health wise. Head knocks have become extremely important in our game and at the moment any head knock carries so much weight.

“If Kalyn is all right, hopefully he gets back to his best football soon.

“I just know it’s not the last game for Kalyn Ponga. He will be back in some way, shape or form.”