"Whatever Queensland asks": Ponga open to Maroons halfback challenge

Kalyn Ponga will play for halfback for Queensland if Billy Slater asks, but his ambition is to reclaim the fullback jersey, the Knights fullback revealed.

Ponga’s name has emerged as the popular vote for the vacant Maroons halfback role after Cowboys’ captain Tom Dearden suffered a syndesmosis injury in Round 10.

Alongside Brisbane’s Reece Walsh, Ponga looms as an automatic selection somewhere in Queensland’s 19-man squad, leaving coach Slater with the unenviable task of finding a role for both players, with Ponga’s versatility making him the more likely of the pair to have to play outside his preferred fullback position.

The 28-year-old has never played halfback at NRL level, and hasn’t played in the halves since 2023, but given the task by Slater, Ponga won’t back down from the challenge.

“Obviously, I feel for Tommy (Dearden), I think all of Queensland do, I think of all of rugby league does,” Ponga told SENQ Sportsday.

“You don't want to see any player, even on both sides, get injured so you feel for him… he loves that arena, so, no doubt he'll be watching and supporting.

“But for me, I haven't thought too much.

“I've obviously… heard the noise around different positions and stuff like that.

“As a Queenslander, I'll play anywhere.

“As a competitor, obviously, I want to play my position, but I understand what's best for the state is to do whatever Billy really asks or or whatever Queensland asks of me.

“So, I don't mind, to be honest.

“If I have to play anywhere, I'll play anywhere.”

Roosters’ duo Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans, Manly’s Jamal Fogarty, the Warriors’ Tanah Boyd and North Queensland’s Jake Clifford are the other names in contention to partner Cameron Munster in the halves.

The Knights enter Magic Round heavy favourites against the Titans after their revitalisation under new coach Justin Holbrook and the addition of Dylan Brown.

Newcastle sit in eighth after 10 rounds, and are back to full strength with Ponga, Bradman Best and Dylan Lucas all returning in the past two rounds.

The Knights’ resurgence ultimately led to Ponga recommitting to the club until the end of 2030, after persistent rumours he would leave the club for opportunities at rivals or rugby union.

However, Ponga revealed it was the new feeling around the club that convinced him to stay.

“I was pretty open with Justin (Holbrook) when he came to the club about… my mindset towards the club and the journey that I have been on with the club,” Ponga said.

“If you had asked me six months ago if I was going to stay, I probably wouldn't have known the answer, to be honest, but just the difference that Justin's made and all the staff… there's good people in good places in the club at the moment.

“I've seen the club come a long way since 10 years when I got here. I know the playing group's hungry… I know that they want to win.

“I think the addition of Dylan Brown as well has been huge.

“I think, for me, playing with class every week, that excites me. I get to play with Dyl Brown every week.

“Phoenix (Crossland), who's an international player now, Fletcher Sharpe, and there's a core group there that's hungry.

“I feel like the Knights are in a really good place, and if I had left, then I would've been leaving at the wrong time.

“I feel like right now is, hopefully, when we get to see some fruits of some hard work over the years.”

Origin team announcements will be made after the final game at Magic Round.