‘I was a bit nervous’: Kalyn Ponga hopes to make Maroons fullback jersey his own after lengthy hiatus

Kalyn Ponga has struggled to produce his best for the Knights this year, but working with Billy Slater could be the key that unlocks his greatness.

Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga says he was “a bit nervous” when the squad was announced for the series opener, with the Knights superstar keen to keep his spot after being named in the No.1 jersey for the first time since the 2022 decider.

Ponga was the best player on the field that night as he scored a try in the 22-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium, but he’s only played one game off the bench since then due to injuries.

Newcastle’s poor start to the season led to some speculation that Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could win the fullback spot for next Wednesday’s game in Brisbane, but Ponga got the nod and hopes to stay there for the rest of the series.

Reece Walsh’s impending return from a knee injury could complicate things, but Ponga has the chance to end any potential debate with a dominant performance next week.

Kalyn Ponga returns to fullback for the first time since his dominant 2022 series. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I was a bit nervous, to be honest,” Ponga said.

“I didn’t assume I would be in there. You never really know. You have to earn the jersey, and I was definitely happy with the call I got and happy to be in camp.

“I’m definitely keen to keep it. I want to do my job and put together some performances I’m proud of.

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

Scoring points has been a major issue for the Knights this season, but Origin provides Ponga with the perfect opportunity to unleash his attacking weaponry that he can then bring back to club land.

And he’ll have no better person to assist him than Maroons coach Billy Slater, who is widely regarded as the greatest fullback of all time.

Walsh relished the opportunity to work closely with Slater last year, and Ponga is equally excited about learning from the best to ever do it.

Ponga is looking forward to working with Maroons coach and champion fullback, Billy Slater. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

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

“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 the confidence he instils in you as a player, and that’s what you want from a coach.

“Every time I come into this camp and come out of it, I come out of these camps a better player, not only through Bill and his coaching but the environment in general.

“For that reason, I’m excited to come in here and try and take some pieces of gold back with me and learn as much as I can in this camp.”