Queensland’s Turbo: Ponga’s influence on Maroons likened to that of Blues superstar

Kalyn Ponga will have a Tom Trbojevic-like impact on his Queensland teammates, will make it much tougher for NSW to score and will not be booed by the Newcastle locals in the likelihood Origin III is played in the Knights’ backyard.

So says Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien who joked of his star fullback: “He makes everybody better – even ask my wife, I’m a better husband when ‘KP’ is playing”.

Kalyn Ponga will make his first Origin appearance of the series in game three – and his first since 2019.Credit:NRL Photos

“That’s the affect he has. When you’re in the room and you look across and KP is putting on his boots and socks, you know you’re a chance.

“I liken him to Tom [Trbojevic]’s influence at Manly. Tom returns [after as month of Manly losses], they start winning games, talk stops about the wooden spoon and members are wanting to re-new their memberships.

“KP is like Tom and gives everyone confidence, not just in games but around training, in video meetings, he’s just a great leader.

“He makes people better and he will make Queensland better, there’s no doubt about it.”

Putting on the afterburners in his weekend comeback game against North Queensland.Credit:Getty

Ponga missed the first two Queensland maulings because of a groin injury and was sensational in his comeback game for Newcastle on Saturday night.

Such is his potency in attack and a safe pair of hands in defence, Ponga is the one man who threatens to ruin Blues coach Brad Fittler’s hopes of an series cleansweep.

Only three NSW sides have completed the rout, with the last coming all the way back in 2000.

Fittler knows the Blues have a special team and brilliant opportunity to annihilate the Queenslanders – but Ponga changes everything.

“There were moments in our game on the weekend where Kalyn came up in the line against the Cowboys, made a tackle, got out of there and was then in position on the other side of the field to dive on the ball with Kurt Mann,” O’Brien said.

“Just his willingness to have that love in defence and not just attack, that’s rare, and I love that.

“Opposition sides also get stuck into him but he never whinges. I’ve gone into bat for him a few times after they’ve targeted him, but it’s never come from him and he’s always like, ‘don’t worry, it’s part of the game’.

“He will make it harder for NSW. He’ll have the line set really well. He’ll anticipate what happens and plug some holes for them.”

O’Brien said he loved his players representing their states, but would not enjoy a single minute next Wednesday, especially given Ponga’s injury history and importance to the Hunter club’s run home to the NRL finals.

He could yet get to watch the game live with a decision on the venue for game three to be made as early as Wednesday. Newcastle remains the firm favourite, and officials are sweating on a call being made so tickets can start being sold.

“We want all our players chasing rep jerseys, but I must say it’s not an enjoyable 80 minutes for me at all,” O’Brien said. “I remember being at Melbourne and it was torture then.

“There was the ‘big three’ [Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk] and sometimes there would be seven or eight Storm guys in there, so you’d be like, ‘just let this be over with’.

“If they play it in Newcastle it’s hard to say what the reception will be. He’s so well regarded up here. Even the proudest New South Welshman wouldn’t boo KP – nobody in Newcastle will boo KP if he’s in a Maroons jersey.”

The Blues took a charter flight on Tuesday night to Kingscliff where they will complete their final preparations for next week’s game.

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