Ponga return at No.1 is Hammer blow to Blues: Hodges
Joel Gould |
Queensland coach Billy Slater faces a tough call on his fullback for the State of Origin series opener but Maroons legend Justin Hodges says it must be Kalyn Ponga.
Hodges insists Ponga at fullback and Dolphins No.1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at centre can be a lethal combination for the Maroons against NSW.
Tabuai-Fidow, a regular at centre for the Maroons, has twice in recent weeks spoken of his desire to play at fullback in the Origin arena, saying it is “a challenge that excites me”.
With Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh, also the Maroons’ incumbent custodian, out of game one on May 28 with injury, Slater will have to install Newcastle captain Ponga or switch Tabuai-Fidow from centre to No.1.
Tabuai-Fidow’s great strength in a representative side is his panache equally as a centre or fullback.
Last year he switched to fullback in game one after Walsh was concussed and scored three tries in a 38-10 win, but in all of his seven Origin matches he has started at centre.
Ponga did make his debut off the bench at centre in last year’s decider and played in style, although with negligible impact. He is a fullback in the Maroons’ backline or not in it at all.
In his last starting game for Queensland in the 2022 decider he was man of the match in a 22-12 win, in Slater’s debut as an Origin coach.
Tabuai-Fidow’s club form is superior at present to Ponga’s.
In 10 games this season the man known as Hammer has seven tries, three try assists, three line breaks and 49 tackle busts.
Ponga is yet to score a try in nine matches, has six try assists, two line breaks and 26 tackle busts.
It is the try assist aspect of Ponga’s play that Hodges likes.
“I think it should be Ponga. He is a little bit more of a safe (option),” Hodges said when asked who should be Maroons fullback..
“The Hammer has been playing some good football but I think Kalyn gives you more at the moment in terms of passing.
“Hammer has won Origin games for us in the centres as well.
“I remember the game in Adelaide (game one of 2023) where he tore them to shreds on that left edge. You have got to have him in the side.
“He is one of those classy players but I think you can have Kalyn (at fullback) setting him up and letting Hammer find some space and using his speed.”
Hodges, who played 24 Origin games and was a part of eight series wins, said club form was not an issue for Ponga..
“Club form doesn’t always (count) in the Origin arena,” he said.
“When we had our fantastic run, some of our teammates were getting bagged (by people) saying they shouldn’t be in the side.
“They put the Maroon jersey on and all of a sudden they go and kill it.
“Origin is about the big moments and having those big game players and Kalyn has definitely shown he can handle that level and do that.
“Billy has attention to detail with how he selects the side and will make sure he has the best 17 ready to go. Whoever puts on that Maroon jersey will do the job. There are big expectations and responsibilities that come with it.”
AAP
