Maroons Captain Daly Cherry-Evans predicts the 21-year-old
Newcastle star will one day be the Queensland skipper if he continues his spectacular
rise.
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| Picture Above: Kalyn Ponga (Second from Left) is congratulated by Maroons teammates as he took control in the Maroons 18-14 win over the Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Game 1 (Source: NRL) |
Origin I was Ponga take full control of the game in the second
half, setting up both Dane Gagai and Corey Oates for tries as the Maroons beat
NSW 18-14.
It was his poise and self-assurance, alongside his ability
to step up in key moments that has Cherry-Evans hoping to be a part of Ponga’s
ever-growing dominance.
“I can’t wait to be along for the ride for Kalyn Ponga. Hopefully
I will play a lot of footy with him for the next couple of years.”
DCE and Maroons coach Kevin Walters had planned to get Ponga
as involved as possible, as his game management is so strong, and has
Cherry-Evans seeing visions of a future leader.
“He gets a lot of credit and media attention and I don’t
want to put anymore on it, but the demeanour he has in the side and the respect
he has gained through his leadership qualities and demanding certain things
from the side… it’s all there for him.”
“As someone so young you don’t need to put pressure on them.
They will naturally build and become leaders, but Kalyn is certainly trending
in the right direction to be a future captain.”
Former Leader and Ponga’s champion predecessor Billy Slater
leant some advice to the up-and-comer ahead of his debut as a starting Origin
fullback.
“Billy said a few things and he just said it with
confidence. He had confidence in me and that made me feel pretty good,” Ponga
said.
“I’ve watched his game a fair bit and I’ve taken a few
things out of it in attack and defence.
“Last Origin camp [2018] I had a fair bit to do with him and
I spent a fair bit of time with this camp and tried to absorb everything that I
could.
“You can always be better. You have never played your best
game. There is always an opportunity to play your best game and as a spine, as
a team and as a unit we’ve got to do that [in Perth in Origin II].”
Ponga was out-played by opposite fullback James Tedesco in
the first half, who put on a stellar performance for the Blues, but Ponga took control
in the second half.
Ponga says that it’s his own game that is more his focus
rathen that out-pointing Tedesco’s capabilities.
“I am out there to do my job, not his. I am not out there to
beat him. I am out there to do my job for the boys,” Ponga said.
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