State of Origin 2018: Kalyn Ponga says he won’t have any trouble playing his natural game in his Queensland debut
AFTER learning that he will start in Queensland’s must-win Origin clash on Sunday, Kalyn Ponga revealed he would not be too overawed to play his devastating attacking game.
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KALYN Ponga says he will have no hesitation in demanding the ball from halves Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster in Queensland’s must-win Origin II clash on Sunday.
The Newcastle sensation was told by Maroons coach Kevin Walters on Monday that he would make his highly anticipated debut this weekend, as Queensland fight to keep the series alive against NSW.
The team’s selectors revealed earlier this week that they had given Ponga a licence to thrill and the 20-year-old confirmed he would be looking to bring his exciting style to ANZ Stadium.
After a short stint in camp for Game One, Ponga said he was still overwhelmed by the company he was keeping in the Queensland team, especially with the likes of skipper Greg Inglis and his childhood hero Billy Slater.
But he has also promised to not become overawed by the presence of his teammates on Sunday.
When asked if he would demand the ball from the likes of Hunt and Munster, Ponga admitted he would not take a backwards step just because he was on debut.
“I demand the ball at the Knights when I feel like I’m in a position to attack,” he said.
“If you have an opportunity in front of you, you should be demanding the ball. If I need to demand the ball because I have an opportunity in front of me (on Sunday) I’ll do it.
“My role is to come on and play the way I’ve been playing in club land. I’ll use my skill set and the way I play … I won’t shy away from that and use it on the field when I get on there.”
Ponga said he learnt the news that he was going into Game Two camp from Knights coach Nathan Brown, but did not find until Monday that he was in the 17 until after he sat down for a talk with Walters.
While he has only played 24 NRL games, Ponga said he is ready for his moment in the Origin arena and will prepare as he does for a normal club game.
“I was always mentally prepared to play,” he said.
“Mentally it’s all the same. When I play fullback, I have to go into a game clear-minded and just worry about my role and what I can do.
“I will take that exact approach going into this game as well. Nothing will really change mentally. It’s pretty much the same.
“I’m trying to stay in the moment and get around the boys as much as I can and enjoy their company and that will go a long way on Sunday night.”
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