Latest news with #Maroons
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Walsh issues claim as Ponga replacement: Four things learnt in Broncos' triumph
As Maroons star Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the State of Origin series decider, Broncos marquee man Reece Walsh issued a compelling message to Queensland coach Billy Slater: he was ready to reclaim his throne. The Brisbane fullback produced a masterclass in his side's 26-12 triumph of the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, ending an emphatic three-week period on his comeback from a knee injury. Walsh, the Maroons' incumbent No.1 from 2023 to 2024 before being ruled out for this year's series opener, was looking ominous from the outset against the typically robust Warriors' defence – finishing with 118 running metres and four tackle busts. If there was one moment which cemented his Origin credentials, it was in the shadows of halftime – screaming for the ball at the expense of a field goal attempt to fire a short pass for Gehamat Shibasaki to score the first of his two tries for the afternoon. It came after his desperate try-saver on Chanel Harris-Tavita held up the Warriors' five-eighth inches from the line. Walsh will now battle Dolphins sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the right to replace Ponga – who suffered a Lisfranc injury on Friday night – but his exploits will no doubt thrust him into the box seat. Tellingly, he has looked a different player to the inconsistent figure he cut before his stint on the sidelines – showing a willingness to take the tough carries out of his own end while coming up with two one-on-one tackles to prevent Wayde Egan and Harris-Tavita from running away. While he had one passage he would love back – caught well out of position for Leka Halasima to latch onto a Harris-Tavita bomb – Walsh has otherwise shown enough to suggest he was ready to answer a Slater SOS.
The Age
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Walsh issues claim as Ponga replacement: Four things learnt in Broncos' triumph
As Maroons star Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the State of Origin series decider, Broncos marquee man Reece Walsh issued a compelling message to Queensland coach Billy Slater: he was ready to reclaim his throne. The Brisbane fullback produced a masterclass in his side's 26-12 triumph of the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, ending an emphatic three-week period on his comeback from a knee injury. Walsh, the Maroons' incumbent No.1 from 2023 to 2024 before being ruled out for this year's series opener, was looking ominous from the outset against the typically robust Warriors' defence – finishing with 118 running metres and four tackle busts. If there was one moment which cemented his Origin credentials, it was in the shadows of halftime – screaming for the ball at the expense of a field goal attempt to fire a short pass for Gehamat Shibasaki to score the first of his two tries for the afternoon. It came after his desperate try-saver on Chanel Harris-Tavita held up the Warriors' five-eighth inches from the line. Walsh will now battle Dolphins sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the right to replace Ponga – who suffered a Lisfranc injury on Friday night – but his exploits will no doubt thrust him into the box seat. Tellingly, he has looked a different player to the inconsistent figure he cut before his stint on the sidelines – showing a willingness to take the tough carries out of his own end while coming up with two one-on-one tackles to prevent Wayde Egan and Harris-Tavita from running away. While he had one passage he would love back – caught well out of position for Leka Halasima to latch onto a Harris-Tavita bomb – Walsh has otherwise shown enough to suggest he was ready to answer a Slater SOS.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Ponga out of Origin III as Knights' fears confirmed
Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best No.1s in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019. Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best No.1s in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019. Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider, after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up a foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, however, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up fullback Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year, after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best No.1s in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019.
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Kalyn Ponga out of Queensland's State of Origin decider as Knights confirm serious foot injury
Kalyn Ponga is out of the State of Origin series decider after scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a Lisfranc injury. Newcastle said on Saturday morning Ponga was set for a lengthy stint out, less than 12 hours after picking up the foot injury in the loss to Canberra. Ponga's injury will potentially open the door for Reece Walsh to return to the Queensland number one jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabulation to fullback, after the Dolphins full-back played centre and wing in the first two games. Tabuai-Fidow's move would not be simple, given back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Billy Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for Sydney. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Ponga limped from the field during the second half of the Knights' 22-18 loss, with the injury suffered on the opposite foot to the one he suffered Lisfranc damage to last year. On that occasion, he missed seven games for the Knights. A similar timeframe would mean Ponga does not return until the eve of the finals this year. Almost immediately after the match on Friday night, Newcastle officials had feared the worst. "Kalyn's tough. He doesn't come off for much," coach Adam O'Brien said. "You have to drag him off the field with a tow truck normally, so it's probably not a good sign." Ponga's injury also comes as a significant setback for Newcastle and O'Brien, after the Knights had shown signs of turning their season around in the past month. Five-eighth and back-up full-back Fletcher Sharpe is unlikely to return again this year after suffering a lacerated kidney and spleen damage last week. Fletcher Hunt could now be the man to fill in for Ponga. For Queensland, it is also a mega blow. Despite being one of the best full-backs in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the jersey in 2019. AAP
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
State of Origin Game III Giveaway
State of Origin Game III decider match is almost here. After the Maroons denied the Blues a historic series win in Game II, the score is locked and the stage is set for an epic decider. All eyes now turn to Sydney Olympic Park on 9 July for the final unmissable decider. Tune in to ABC Radio Sydney for your chance to win a one of five double passes to the State of Origin Game III, plus one lucky winner will have their prize upgraded with a VIP supporter pack. Giveaway details Tune in to ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast with Craig Reucassel and Drive with Chris Bath from Tuesday 1 July to find out how you can win a double pass to the final State of Origin game for 2025, with the chance to upgrade to a VIP supporter pack. Prize details 5 x minor prizes including: double pass to State of Origin Game III at Sydney Olympic Park on July 9 1 x major prize upgrade: VIP supporter pack with NSW Blues merchandise Visit the NRL website to find out more. Competition terms and conditions apply.
