State of Origin teams: Kalyn Ponga to be rushed back by Maroons for decider

Queensland coach Billy Slater is set to make four changes to his side for the anticipated State of Origin decider, including the surprise return of Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga.

(L-R) Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga and Felise Kaufusi of the Maroons celebrate victory at full-time during game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle champion Kalyn Ponga is in the frame for a stunning Queensland Origin recall - two years after he carved up the Blues to win the Maroons a Suncorp decider.

This masthead can reveal Ponga could be just 80 minutes away from a triumphant return to the Maroons if he comes through unscathed in Sunday’s clash against the Raiders at GIO Stadium.

The Queensland team for Origin III on Wednesday week at Suncorp will be chosen on Sunday night, just two hours after Ponga’s one-chance audition against the Green Machine.

The selection of Ponga would represent a nightmare for the Blues, who were on the receiving end of a ‘KP’ masterclass which propelled Queensland to Origin glory in the 2022 decider at Suncorp.

Kalyn Ponga hasn't played since Rd 7. Credit: NRL Images.

It’s understood Queensland coach Billy Slater has discussed picking Ponga with Maroons selectors to watch him closely in his return against Canberra after a seven-week layoff with a foot injury.

Reece Walsh is under no threat - he will retain the Queensland No.1 jumper for Origin III - but Maroons hierarchy believe Ponga can be the interchange shock weapon that brings down the Blues ... once again.

In his seventh and most recent game for Queensland, Ponga ran riot in the 2022 Suncorp decider, amassing 247 metres, 15 tackle busts, two line breaks and scoring a try to engineer the Maroons’ 22-12 epic victory.

Now the Maroons are keen to go back to the future by unleashing Dally M Medallist Ponga on a NSW side brimming with confidence after their 38-18 rout of Queensland in Origin II.

In other selection news:

* In-form Titans forward David Fifita has also been discussed and could win a bench spot alongside Ponga;

* Queensland centre Valentine Holmes is in danger of being dropped after missing six tackles marking Latrell Mitchell in Origin II;

* Game One bench hero Selwyn Cobbo, a shock omission for Origin II, could return on the wing to replace the injured Xavier Coates; and

* Ponga’s Knights colleague Dane Gagai, Queensland’s 18th man in Origin II, can unseat Holmes with a barnstorming display against Canberra.

Ponga was not considered for last year’s series due to his concussion battle, but Maroons coach Slater always had him in his plans for the 2024 campaign.

The matchwinning fullback was initially discussed as a bench option for Game One, only for Ponga to suffer an injury breakdown on the eve of Origin I.

That opened the door for Broncos young gun Cobbo to play a starring role in Queensland’s thumping 38-10 win in the series opener at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

The proposed recall of Ponga would cap an emotional comeback to Maroon for the 26-year-old.

Harry Grant and Dane Gagai of the Maroons look on from the bench during Origin II. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle’s $6 million man faced a career-threatening head-trauma issue last year, prompting Ponga to fly to Canada for concussion tests which ultimately cleared him to resume his NRL career.

That triggered a lethal form burst which saw Ponga charge to the Dally M Medal and NSW are acutely aware of his potency in Maroon after he sliced and diced the Blues in their last trip to Suncorp for an Origin decider.

Former Queensland lock Parker, a veteran of 19 Origin matches, believes Ponga’s selection is a no-brainer, with the Knights ace making a superb Origin debut off the bench in 2018.

“If KP puts a good game together on Sunday, there has to be some internal conversations about picking him,” Parker said.

“I don’t know if Billy will go that way, but he has to think about it.

“I suspect there are going to be a lot of points in this decider and Kalyn got man-of-the-match in the decider two years ago.

“Whether he is 1 or 14, I’m not sure, but I just think Kalyn Ponga can win the game for Queensland.”

David Fifita has been in fine form for the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

Should Ponga and Fifita be added to the bench, Queensland’s Game Two interchange duo Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell could be casualties.

Another option is to retain the hard-hitting Kaufusi at the expense of starting back-rower Jaydn Su’A, who has struggled for impact and was exposed defensively in Origin II at the MCG.

Fifita posted 137 metres, 19 runs and 21 tackles in the Titans’ 20-16 boilover of Cronulla on Friday night and says he won’t let Queensland down if he wins a Maroons recall.

“If the opportunity comes, I will represent my family and my state proudly,” he told Fox Sports after the Titans shocked the Sharks in Coffs Harbour.

“I was just worried about getting the win (against Cronulla) and if the opportunity comes (for Queensland), it comes.

“If I’m not there, I will always be celebrating for the boys.”

Originally published as State of Origin teams: Kalyn Ponga to be rushed back by Maroons for decider