Maroons selector Darren Lockyer’s brutal reality check for Kalyn Ponga

Queensland State Origin selector Darren Lockyer has delivered a stark warning for Kalyn Ponga as his No. 1 jersey comes under threat.

Darren Lockyer has some home truths for Kalyn Ponga. Photo: Getty Images

Queensland State of Origin legend Darren Lockyer has revealed Kalyn Ponga could be left right out of the Maroons side.

Ponga followed in the footsteps of the likes of Lockyer by moving from fullback to five-eighth but has had a rough time of it after suffering a concussion against the Wests Tigers in round 2.

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The 24-year-old spent the next six weeks on the sidelines and only returned last week, coming off the bench in the Knights’ loss to the Cowboys.

While it was believed that Ponga would hang onto his No. 1 jersey after his man of the match performance in game three last season, the Broncos’ Reece Walsh has been in outstanding form for the ladder-leaders and is putting pressure on Ponga.

Lockyer, who is also a Maroons selector, spoke on the Wide World of Sports’ QLDer program and while he didn’t rule either out, he said that it was likely only one of Ponga or Walsh would make the side.

This is because the Maroons would probably go with an extra hooker in the No. 14 jersey.

“What works against Kalyn is he’s not playing at fullback,” Lockyer said.

“Now he could go back to fullback and play it but it’s a specialised position – and Kalyn hasn’t forgotten how to play there – but if he’s not on a weekly basis playing and moving with those habits as a fullback, then that works against Kalyn.

“Reece, there’s some good tests in front of him over the next few weeks with some of the opposition the Broncos have got so I think the coach (Billy Slater) and the selectors will be watching closely some of those players who are in contention in big games.”

Darren Lockyer knows his stuff. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It’s been a tough run for Kalyn Ponga. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Lockyer is one of the legends of the game and expected to be in conversations about becoming an Immortal in coming years, starring as both a fullback and a five-eighth when he made the transition.

After moving to the No. 6, Lockyer was selected in his new position, after having a lock on the No. 1 jersey.

Lockyer admitted that he knows coach Billy Slater “really rates him”.

But with a fit Cameron Munster a certainty to play five-eighth for the Maroons, Ponga’s best hope is at fullback, as he’s unlikely to be picked on the wing or in the centres.

He has played just three of his 101 NRL matches on the wing but his last time playing on the edges was in 2017 when he played for North Queensland.

And Lockyer said it’s unlikely he’d be a bench utility.

“I think the 14 role these days, as we’ve seen in history, you need to be versatile,” Lockyer said.

“Both those players (Ponga and Walsh) can play multiple positions but at that level I guess it remains to be seen.

“We talk about Ben Hunt, his versatility, you could play him anywhere on the field really. AJ Brimson, he’s another guy who, while he plays fullback, could easily play anywhere in the backline.”

Reece Walsh is bashing down the door. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It comes a week after former Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk said Walsh would only get better.

“I don’t think Reece has hit the ceiling in terms of what he can improve,” Cronk said.

“In terms of his performances this year of course he can play Origin.

“He has got the acceleration, the footy IQ, the awareness and the confidence and the swagger to turn up in big moments.

“But if you want to see improvement, Origin is based on hard work and effort and defence.

“And you might not get many opportunities in Origin, but when you get your opportunity you need to be ready.”