BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga is racing the clock to play some part in this year’s State of Origin series after watching Queensland’s humiliating 50-6 flogging at the hands of New South Wales in Game I.

Ponga was named to start at fullback for the Maroons only to be ruled out again with injury – this time it was his groin.

It caused a reshuffle to the QLD side that pushed Valentine Holmes to the back and handed local hero Kyle Feldt his Origin debut in Townsville.

The Blues were ruthless and Ponga would have made little difference such was NSW’s dominance.

Days prior to Game I, Knights coach Adam O’Brien revealed that the injury was far worse than first thought and Ponga may not feature in Game II or Game III.

Ponga travelled to Townsville with the Maroons but failed a fitness test.

“I guess by going up there there’s hope [returning for QLD],” O’Brien said after the Knights fell to Parramatta on Sunday.

“Our medical staff have looked at him and you know all our experts have little hope.”

It’s enough to fill most rugby league players at Ponga’s level with anxiety.

After all, he is now 23.

Since making his first appearance for QLD in 2018, he has managed just three games for a 1-2 record against the Blues and he is yet to win a series for the Maroons.

If you exclude the Nines World Cup, the Western Australian-born utility hasn’t scored a Kangaroos cap either.

For all his talent, Ponga hasn’t stepped up for QLD the way others like Cameron Munster have.

Fullbacks Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Clint Gutherson all sit ahead of Ponga in the NRL.

If Ponga does indeed miss the entire 2021 series, it’s hard to see Mal Meninga taking him to the World Cup at the end of the year.

Another year lost.

The Knights have Ponga under contract until the end of 2024 but he does have an option in his favour at the end of 2022 which could see Ponga leave the NRL to ‘chase his dream’ of playing for the All Blacks.

A Rugby Union World Cup in France is awfully tempting.

There is a very real possibility Ponga leaves rugby league without really reaching his true potential.

“It’s no secret I want to win a comp in Newcastle, I want to hold the trophy up here,” Ponga said after re-signing with the Knights.

“We’re building towards something and I can definitely feel it. It’s something that I want to be a part of and I’m excited to be a part of.

“There was a lot of talk in the media about rugby union but I’ve always said I’m focused on the Knights and have been since I walked in the door.”

Born to Kiwi parents, Ponga lived in Palmerston North as a child before moving to Queensland.

“Obviously, that (representing the All Blacks) would be a huge goal, if I was to come back to union I’d want to,” he revealed to TVNZ in 2018.

“But I’m not too sure what my future holds whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes.”

New outright leader in Beetson Raudonikis Medal after State of Origin Game I

There’s still time for Kalyn Ponga in rugby league and there’s still an opportunity to step up for Queensland.

Maybe even the Kangaroos.

But that time will run out eventually.

For the Maroons, who were trounced in Game I of this year’s series and desperate for answers, Ponga back early from injury would be a bonus.

Maybe then we’ll see what all the fuss is about.

@woodward_curtis