State of Origin 2020: Kalyn Ponga ruled out with shoulder injury
Queensland’s injury crisis gets worse by the day. Following news that Cameron Munster could miss the 2020 State of Origin series, the Maroons have been dealt another hammer blow.
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Kalyn Ponga says he is “devastated” to miss Origin after ruling himself out of the series to undergo a shoulder reconstruction next week.
Ponga was desperate to play for the Maroons but after consulting with specialists this week, he has been forced out of the series. The Knights fullback would have started in the No.1 jersey for the Maroons next month.
“I’m devastated to miss out on Origin,” Ponga said. “I love pulling on the Maroons jersey. It is a privilege to play in the NRL and a privilege to be selected to represent Queensland.
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“As an athlete and competitor, I pride myself on performing no matter how my body feels but I also accept that both the Maroons and Knights medical staff have my best interest at heart in making this decision.”
Ponga has booked surgery for next week. The injury will sideline him for between three and five months.
Surgery this month will almost certainly mean Ponga will be right by the time next season resumes which a planned round one kick-off on March 11. Had Ponga played Origin and elected for surgery at the end of next month he would have almost certainly missed the start of Newcastle’s premiership campaign.
“I wish the Queensland camp all the best for a successful 2020 series,” Ponga said. “I’ll be cheering loudly from home and will be working tirelessly to earn my place back in the squad next year.”
Ponga, who took out the Knights’ player of the year award on Thursday night, also played down suggestions he was not available because of frustrations caused by living in the bubble.
Uncapped AJ Brimson will almost certainly start at fullback for Queensland given Valentine Holmes will miss the series opener because of suspension. The Maroons are also set to be without Cameron Munster (knee) with Ben Hunt likely to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
Queensland coach Wayne Bennett said he won’t be pressuring anyone to play injured.
“They are decisions for players and clubs,” Bennett said. “I do know how much players want to play Origin but if they are not fit to play, I don’t want them playing. The club and the player don’t have to tell me (not to pick them) because inevitably they don’t play well because they don’t have confidence. It just doesn’t work.”
The Maroons named a host of debutants in their initial squad this week including Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt, Josh Kerr, Harry Grant, Xavier Coates, Pat Carrigan, Phil Sami and Moeaki Fotuaika.
‘I’m your man’: Titans star prepared for Maroons SOS
Gold Coast star AJ Brimson has declared he is ready for an Origin baptism of fire in Queensland’s No. 1 jersey as Wayne Bennett backed the Titans dynamo to fire for the Maroons.
Brimson is the favourite to start at fullback for the Maroons with Newcastle gun Kalyn Ponga ruled out of the series with a shoulder injury.
Ponga is the latest Queensland player to join a bursting casualty ward already containing David Fifita, Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt, Moses Mbye and Valentine Holmes (suspended).
The Maroons are undergoing huge change, with new coach Bennett axing assistant Justin Hodges and veteran forward Josh McGuire after taking on the Queensland duties from Broncos-bound Kevin Walters.
The Blues are settled with coach Brad Fittler targeting a third straight series win and having few injury concerns.
Queensland has gone from an embarrassment of riches to scrambling for players to fill a 27-man squad ahead of entering the Origin “bubble” on October 25.
While his NRL form had been patchy, Ponga is considered to be a key cog of the Maroons set-up and his absence is a blow to Queensland’s depth.
But Brimson is waiting in the wings.
The Titans fullback was the NRL’s form player in the back end of the season after overcoming a fractured spine suffered in the Perth Nines, which saw him miss the first 11 games of the 20-round competition.
Brimson, 22, made 13 line breaks and scored seven tries in nine games, including two spectacular efforts in a final round masterclass against Newcastle where he beat Ponga twice with scintillating speed and footwork.
Brimson has continued training to remain fit for a maiden Origin campaign and said he was ready to replace Ponga if needed.
“That would be amazing, I’m ready,” he told The Courier-Mail.
“I genuinely hope Kalyn can play and does play, because as a proud Queenslander we definitely need him.
“If not, I would love the opportunity but I’m not getting ahead of myself.”
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Bennett said he was excited to coach Brimson following the talent he showcased this season.
“AJ is a real talent,” Bennett said.
“He is in great form, he is in the squad so I’m looking forward to working with him.
“I have been watching AJ through the year, he’s played against us (South Sydney) in the past, he’s been very good.”
Brimson was originally being viewed as a bench utility for the Maroons given his versatility and impact he could provide from the interchange.
But Ponga’s injury has opened the door for him to slot in the No. 1 jersey and he is doing all he can to be ready if needed in Adelaide on November 4.
“I’ve done a couple of running and gym sessions,” he said.
“I’d usually have a fortnight off, but it’s been a weird year and I’ve only played nine games so my body’s not that sore. I’ve been trying to stay fit.
“I’ve been training with Phil Sami, doing a couple of runs at the club.”
Originally published as State of Origin 2020: Kalyn Ponga ruled out with shoulder injury