Kalyn Ponga outlines mission to keep Maroons fullback jersey from Reece Walsh

Kalyn Ponga ends a 1050-day absence in the Queensland No.1 jumper in the Origin opener and has no plans to give it up, setting the tone for a fullback battle with Reece Walsh that could last for the better part of the next decade.

Kalyn Ponga has outlined his mission to stave off Maroons rival Reece Walsh for the Queensland No.1 jumper after fighting back from the concussion ordeal that almost ended his career.

Ponga did not train on Wednesday afternoon at Camp Maroon on the Sunshine Coast. Wearing sneakers, he pointed at his quad while speaking with teammates, but the Maroons insist he is not in any doubt for Origin I.

Ponga’s 1050-day absence in the Queensland No.1 jumper will be over when the Knights champion runs out as Maroons fullback in Origin I next Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.

There was a time when Ponga was viewed as a 10-year fullback untouchable for Queensland.

Then came the head-knock saga in 2023 which forced Ponga to undergo concussion testing in Canada, opening the door for Walsh to bolt into the Queensland No.1 jersey as he catapulted Brisbane to that year’s grand final.

Ironically, Walsh’s own battle with a knee injury last month saw Ponga named as fullback for the series opener, but with the Broncos ace due back before Game Two, the heat is on.

One of Walsh’s biggest fans is Queensland coach Billy Slater, but Ponga is determined to cement the Maroons No.1 guernsey with a blinder against the Blues in Origin I.

Kalyn Ponga wants to keep the Maroons No.1 jersey from Reece Walsh. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I’m definitely keen to keep it,” Ponga said of the battle for the Queensland fullback spot.

“I want to do my job and put together some performances I’m proud of for sure.

“You have to earn this Queensland jersey and that’s what I’ll be doing for sure.”

Ponga and Walsh could wage a battle for the better part of the next decade.

The Knights custodian has just turned 27, while Walsh is 23 in July, setting up many years of mouth-watering backfield showdowns between two of the code’s most lethal attackers.

But rather than be daunted by the Walsh threat, Ponga relishes it.

Slater named the pair in his top 17 for Origin III last year – Walsh retained the No.1 jumper ahead of supersub Ponga – and ‘KP’ says the Broncos superstar delivers a constant challenge to get better.

“I actually really enjoy watching Reece play and I love him as a person,” Ponga said.

“The competition isn’t negative at all, I actually think it’s good for both of us.

“The beauty of the Queensland culture is you support each other 100 per cent.

“I just want the best person in that Queensland jersey.”

For a time, Ponga admits he questioned if that person would be him. After four concussions in a 10-month period, there were fears Ponga would never play again.

Concussion issues have threatened Kalyn Ponga’s career. Picture: NRL Photos

But after being cleared by brain-trauma experts in Canada, Ponga rebounded with a fairytale, winning the Dally M Medal two years ago before returning to the Queensland side last year.

Steeled by adversity, Ponga, who plays his ninth Origin game next Wednesday night, will never take his beloved Maroons jumper for granted again.

“Footy was pretty far away at one point,” he said.

“During that period (when he returned from concussion testing), I was pretty grateful just to be playing footy again.

“Queensland won that series (in 2023), Reece played well and I was just happy playing.

Kalyn Ponga is back in the No.1 jersey for the Maroons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I was sitting there as a fan and when I sat back watching as a proud fan, that was awesome, but at the same time I was envious and wanted to be out there (for Queensland).

“But we all support each other in this team. I am definitely happy to be back, hopefully those worries are behind me in terms of the concussion stuff.”

Queensland coach Slater, arguably the greatest fullback in history, knows all about life in the No.1 jumper. He is keen to unleash the beast in Ponga.

“It’s a pretty exciting challenge isn’t it,” he said of getting the best out of Ponga.

“I am fortunate to have played that position and I love what Kalyn brings to a footy team.

“Helping him be at his best really excites me.”

Ponga has been searching for peak form at club level in a struggling Knights team, but believes working with Slater will ignite his match-winning mojo.

“Every time I come into this camp, I come out of these camps a better player,” he said.

“Not only through Bill and his coaching but the environment in general.

“It’s just his knowledge, even now he continues to grow as a coach. His knowledge about the game and especially the fullback position, it’s worthwhile for me checking it out.

“It’s Billy’s attention to detail on both sides of the footy, but also the confidence he instils in his players.

“He has given me some things when I first came into camp that I didn’t think about from a technical point of view, but then also there’s the confidence he instils in you as a player and that’s what you want from a coach.

“I’m definitely grateful to be here.”

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga outlines mission to keep Maroons fullback jersey from Reece Walsh