How Kalyn Ponga dropped a State of Origin bombshell on Queensland coach Billy Slater

It was widely assumed that incumbent Queensland Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga had been dumped for the 2023 State of Origin series, but the Newcastle skipper has now made the shocking confession that he stood himself down.

The decision to stick with Ponga despite a horror run of concussions and head knocks or to choose Brisbane Broncos livewire Reece Walsh was one of the biggest decisions tabled to Queensland coach Billy Slater.

However Ponga, who suffered his fourth head knock in 10 months during Newcastle’s NRL win over Wests Tigers on March 12, revealed he made the tough decision to focus on club rather than his state this year.

Asked if he had made himself unavailable for selection this year, Ponga said: ‘Yes, it is true I have told Billy that I need to focus on Newcastle at the moment.’

‘I reached out to him earlier in the week to let him know and wish him luck,’ he added.

‘I love Queensland and the Maroons jersey but I need to play more games and be on the field for Newcastle at the moment. It was a really difficult decision to make but I will fight to win back my place in the Queensland side next year.’

Ponga has revealed that he withdrew himself from the 2023 State of Origin series to focus on his health and Newcastle

After four head knocks in 10 months, Ponga was sent for yet another HIA in his return match for the Knights

Ponga missed five rounds of football for Newcastle before he was given the all-clear by specialists in Canada

Following his run of head knocks, Ponga travelled to Canada to have his brain tested using technology not yet available in Australia.

He missed five rounds of NRL before finally being given the all-clear to return by specialists.

There was a scary moment on Ponga’s return, suffering yet another head knock in the opening minutes against the Sharks.

However he passed his HIA and has now reverted back to his usual position of fullback after Newcastle abandoned experimenting with their star talent in the halves. 

Ponga will have plenty to do to reclaim his position, especially if Queensland kicks on and wins the 2023 Origin series.

Walsh had a blinder on debut in Adelaide but Ponga said that was never in questions.  

‘I watched the game last night and I was really happy for Queensland and really happy for Reece,’ Ponga said on Thursday.

‘He had a great debut. I always knew he would.’

Ponga celebrates the 2022 series win after a man-of-the-match performance in game three that propelled the Maroons to victory

Slater had full confidence in Walsh and helped the young Brisbane Broncos star realise his potential on the game’s biggest stage

Walsh himself praised Slater for taking the extra time to impart his knowledge and help the young Bronco be ready for the rigours of Origin. 

‘He’s the greatest fullback to play the game and spent countless hours with me talking positional play and where I can pop up on the field,’ Walsh said.

‘There were little things about my positioning, where I use my energy, being smart on the field … all the small things.

‘He was a really detailed fullback. He is a really detailed coach. He is a really good person and cares about you. You don’t want to let him down.’

Slater returned the compliments, with plenty of praise for the Broncos star.

‘The young lad at fullback has so much substance to his game outside of the highlights,’ the Queensland coach said.

‘We all love seeing Reece Walsh pull the trigger on a pass, his blistering speed or his involvement in the game … but he is building a foundation to his game that is going to hold him in good stead for a long period of time.

‘That’s what I have seen. That is what I have liked and that is why he is here.

‘He is a quality player and a good young man. He has a big future ahead of him.’