Newcastle's Ponga ready for Origin III
Queensland star Kalyn Ponga insists he'll be good to go for the Maroons in State of Origin III despite hurting his neck in Newcastle's romp over North Queensland.
After missing the past six weeks for the Knights - and two Origin games for the Maroons - Ponga made a triumphant return from injury against the Cowboys on Saturday.
The Newcastle fullback scored two tries and set up two more in a typically dynamic display, before leaving the field in the 73rd minute after folding awkwardly in a tackle from Valentine Holmes.
The Cowboys star, who played in the No.1 for Queensland in game two and is expected to be on the wing for game three, was put on report and will nervously await the charge sheet on Sunday.
Ponga played down his early exit post-game.
"It's (neck) pretty stiff at the moment, but it's fine. Yeah, I'll be sweet (for Queensland). It doesn't feel like there's anything too wrong," he said.
The 23-year-old was also relieved to get through most of the game having not played since round nine due to a nagging groin issue.
"I didn't feel the groin at all, which I'm really pleased about," he said.
"It's been a tough one with my groin, just because of the injury it is, so high on the tendon. I just took it day by day. The physios, I had full trust in them, and I felt good leading into this game.
"Pretty happy with how I felt out there in terms of my body and fitness and everything."
Ponga's return will be an enormous boost for a Queensland side that has lacked speed and energy in attack throughout their blowout losses in their opening two defeats.
With Ponga set to be rushed back, Holmes, provided he escapes a suspension, will revert to the wing alongside either Kyle Feldt or Xavier Coates.
Cowboys flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been tossed up as a rookie bolter in the centres in would add some serious speed to coach Paul Green's deflated squad.
But the biggest boost would undoubtedly be the inclusion of Ponga, who has played just three of a possible 10 games since making his debut in game two of the 2018 series.
"Through injury, I've been in and out the last three years. That's footy though; that's the way the cookie crumbles," Ponga said.
The league is yet to decide where the July 14 contest will be played, with COVID-19 restrictions certain to result in the game shifting from Stadium Australia at Sydney Olympic Park.
Ponga's club home ground of McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle is poised to claim hosting rights.
"I reckon Newcastle will love it. It'd be awesome if it was here. Hopefully, it's here," he said.
"It'd be a bit weird. A lot of people go for me but they don't go for Queensland."
