Revealed: How Maroons plan to unleash Kalyn Ponga in Origin decider

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans says Kalyn Ponga will not be wasted on the bench and has formulated plans to ensure the Dally M champion is NSW’s bogeyman in the Suncorp decider.

QLD Origin training at Sanctuary Cove. Coach Billy Slater. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans says Kalyn Ponga will not be wasted on the bench and has formulated plans to ensure the Dally M champion is NSW’s bogeyman in the Suncorp decider.

Ponga ripped the Blues apart in the last Origin decider in 2022 and the Maroons maestro is primed to be a Suncorp slayer all over again in his Queensland comeback this Wednesday night.

Ponga has been named on the bench by Queensland coach Billy Slater but the sight of him at Maroons training over the past week suggests ‘KP’ will be given a licence to thrill.

The Maroons have deployed a number of moves in which Ponga and fullback Reece Walsh have been on the field at the same time, with the dynamic duo operating either side of the ruck.

While Walsh has worked on midfield incursions and his footwork cutting back inside, Ponga has skirted the edges as a free-roaming attacking dynamo with the size to handle defensive duties at lock.

Queensland plan to make Kalyn Ponga a floating attacking weapon. Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Cherry-Evans is acutely aware of the trail of destruction Ponga left in his last appearance in Maroon, amassing a staggering 247 metres, 25 runs, 15 tackle busts and a try to inspire Queensland’s 22-12 win at Suncorp.

Now Ponga is back for his eighth Origin appearance and Cherry-Evans is ready to unleash the strike weapon, warning NSW their Suncorp nemesis won’t be getting splinters on the interchange bench.

“I watched him play (for Newcastle) in his first game back and it is hard not to be excited watching Kalyn Ponga play,” Cherry-Evans said.

“He is a great footy player.

“If we can get him in some opportunities and positions on the field that he is familiar with, then he is a really hard person to take down.

“He is a run option, he is a pass option and he can pop up in the back of shape and challenge people directly.

“We all know Kalyn is not afraid to put his body on the line so I am really excited Kalyn is back in this arena and looking forward to playing alongside him on Wednesday.”

Ponga has terrorised NSW before. Picture: Adam Head

Ponga’s selection on the bench represents a full-circle moment for Newcastle’s $6 million man.

As a 20-year-old, he made his Origin debut off interchange and produced a stunning 52-minute cameo, headlined by a 40-metre bust, which almost stole victory from NSW, who held on 18-14.

Cherry-Evans says Ponga, now a more mature attacking weapon at age 26, can be Queensland’s X-factor once again.

“For sure. We are going to encourage everyone and particularly Kalyn, when he comes on, to just play footy,” Cherry-Evans said.

“It’s his strength. Some stuff you just can’t script. Sure, we will want to put some pieces together for him and some framework but ultimately his best footy is when there’s a quick play-the-ball and off he goes.

“It is just the player he is. He is naturally a threat with the ball in his hands but he is not afraid to put his body on the line.

“He cares a lot about this team and he takes a lot of pride in his performance, so no doubt all those things will put him in good shape for Wednesday night.”

Daly Cherry-Evans is remaining coy about Origin retirement. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Cherry-Evans, meanwhile, insists he won’t be making a definitive call on State of Origin retirement, regardless of the result in the Suncorp decider.

“I promise you there won’t be an announcement,” said the Maroons skipper, who turns 36 in February.

“(When) I will be sailing off into the sunset, people won’t know until the off-season. I won’t want any special treatment for that sort of stuff.

“I know I am getting old and retirement becomes a bit of a talking point but I don’t have any special news for you.

“I don’t need a fairytale to finish. For as long as I am good enough to hold a spot in this team it will be very hard to pass up in the future.”