Two into No.1 can go: Ponga says he and Walsh can coexist in Maroons team
The two star fullbacks have traded the Maroons No.1 jersey in the past few seasons, depending on form and fitness. Kalyn Ponga says there’s room for both.
Kalyn Ponga hopes there is room for both Reece Walsh and himself in the Queensland Origin squad as the attacking dynamos get set for an enthralling selection battle before this year’s interstate series.
Ponga and Walsh have alternated in the Maroons No.1 jersey in the past few seasons, depending on form and fitness.
Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh are expected to fight it out for the Queensland No.1 jersey.Credit: Getty Images
Ponga was man of the match in the 2022 series decider, but after returning from a series of concussions, he was displaced by Walsh the following season.
The Newcastle skipper had to wait until game three of the 2024 campaign before he was recalled, on the bench, with Walsh preferred as Queensland’s last line of defence.
Last season, Ponga was named at No.1 in the first two Origins, before a broken bone in his foot ruled him out of the decider. On that occasion, he was replaced by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and Walsh played no part in the series.
But Walsh finished the season in a blaze of glory by winning the Clive Churchill Medal in Brisbane’s grand final triumph and then played three Tests for the Kangaroos on their successful Ashes tour, while Ponga was recovering from his injury with his foot in a protective boot.
If both players are fit and firing, Queensland coach Billy Slater will have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal for this year’s series, and Ponga predicted the competition would bring out the best in both he and Walsh.
“I think it’s been awesome over the last three years, probably, with Reece,” Ponga said. “We’ve always had this thing where we want to fight for that position. I think whoever earns it, earns it. That’s the way it is in the Queensland jumper ... I definitely want that jersey. I’ll be doing everything I can to get it.”
Asked if he felt they could both feature in the Queensland squad, as was the case in 2024 when Walsh started at fullback, and Ponga was used as an interchange impact player, Ponga replied: “Hopefully. That would be nice.”
Ponga has 10 Origin appearances to his name, for five wins, while Walsh has been involved in three wins in his five Origins.
