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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Queensland Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga says he does not feel any pressure to justify his selection ahead of Broncos rival Reece Walsh, as he declared he was in a better position than ever before to make an impression in the State of Origin furnace.<\/p>\n The Newcastle skipper surged ahead in the pecking order for the No.1 jersey courtesy of his unbeaten form for the Knights, where he is yet to lose a game in 2026 either side of a hamstring injury suffered in round two.<\/p>\n It was widely expected that Walsh, the incumbent Kangaroos custodian and reigning Clive Churchill medallist, would add to his five Queensland caps, only for his own performances to be halted by a fractured cheekbone.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Ponga, in contrast, has been on a tear since returning from a seven-week absence, running for more than 200 metres in each of his side\u2019s three wins since making his comeback.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old expressed his respect for Walsh, and denied that his selection would come with greater expectations to perform.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cI think being selected, you earn the jersey. I\u2019ve got a lot of respect for Reece and that\u2019s probably why I won\u2019t touch on that topic too much,\u201d Ponga said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here to do a job, I know the footy I can play and am playing at the moment, and I want to take that into next Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all I have been focusing on \u2013 doing my job at the Knights, making sure we win games there.\u201d<\/p>\n Until the Queensland team was unveiled, it was believed both Ponga and Walsh would coexist in the same side, with the former heavily tipped to take on halfback duties in the absence of Tom Dearden (syndesmosis).<\/p>\n Ponga said he had expected that call, and would have flourished in the role had it come his way, before the job ultimately went to Sam Walker at Walsh\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what I\u2019m like \u2013 if that was the challenge that was ahead of me I would\u2019ve tuned in and got my head on, focused on it and prepared as best I can,\u201d Ponga said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way I play fullback is a little bit like a half, my role at Knights is in that first receiver, second receiver type of role. Obviously, there\u2019s a difference between fullback and half, and that\u2019s the defence side of things, and that\u2019s probably something I wouldn\u2019t be used to.<\/p>\n \u201cBut with the footy, it would be pretty similar to how I play.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article Maroons coach Billy Slater suggested on Monday that Ponga was in \u201ca real sweet spot in his career and life\u201d.<\/p>\n Ponga, winner of the Dally M Medal in 2023, said he had found an appreciation for the game and a weekly routine that would trigger his greatest exploits in the Maroons jersey.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I care a lot more about my footy \u2026 as you get older you start to appreciate everything a lot more,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cTime starts to run out a little bit, you value things a lot more, so I think all those things add up and come together. All I can really control is my preparation, my recovery and how I go about my weeks and getting myself in the best mental frame to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n Ponga and Queensland debutant Briton Nikora will become Queensland\u2019s first players to benefit from the NRL\u2019s Origin eligibility rule changes, which enables New Zealand and England Test players to be selected, provided they began playing junior rugby league before their 13th birthday in their respective states.<\/p>\n That has opened the door for Ponga to shift allegiances from Australia to the Kiwis, while Nikora \u2013 who has worn the black jumper 15 times \u2013 will get his maiden chance in the Origin cauldron.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me and my footy jersey that\u2019s where it all began. I know how much it means to small towns, kids, anyone really that\u2019s in Queensland,\u201d Ponga said.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of who I am has been in Queensland, my culture is the Kiwis, but I represent both. It\u2019s special \u2026 I didn\u2019t think that opportunity would arise, but it obviously did, and I\u2019m grateful I could take it.<\/p>\n \u201cMy job obviously is to wear this proud, represent Queensland proud. I\u2019m not sure if I\u2019ll get to wear the Kiwi jersey, but at least it\u2019s an option. I want to represent this jersey the way I know I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Kalyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f19501f6c3e14a9f89ea084e9d86e45cd4282c1b.jpeg\")
Kalyn Ponga will miss this year\u2019s series with a foot injury.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Queensland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a4e255b22fa02078e62daf535460918cb89b8578d1d68d01c1c9dce13836e408.jpeg\")
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