Ponga pushes Maroons claims

KALYN Ponga reminded Queensland coach Kevin Walters why the Maroons need him next week during Newcastle’s 28-10 loss to Melbourne yesterday.

The Storm celebrated Craig Bellamy’s re-signing as coach with a comfortable away victory to stay fifth on the NRL ladder. Flyer Josh Addo-Carr twice finished off length-of-the-field tries, while Cameron Munster also starred in his final hitout before Queensland’s must-win State of Origin II clash with NSW at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium next Sunday.

But with Queensland giving Billy Slater until Wednesday to overcome a hamstring strain and Walters admitting Ponga was very much in the hunt for a bench role regardless, all eyes were on the Knights fullback. Ponga started nervously with three errant passes and endured a difficult afternoon with the boot, but still showcased the kind of X-factor Queensland might need if it is to crack New South Wales. JOSH Hodgson’s long-awaited return has ignited Canberra’s season, inspiring it to a 48-12 thrashing of the Wests Tigers.

After racking up a series of embarrassing fade-outs in the first half of the season, the Raiders recorded their biggest win of 2018 as they ran in nine tries. English hooker Hodgson proved the catalyst, with the Green Machine suddenly looking a vastly improved outfit when he ran on to Campbelltown Stadium midway through yesterday’s first half.

In a 46-minute effort, Hodgson set up three tries and proved the glue that his side has been missing all season while he recuperated from a knee reconstruction.

Even after the bunker denied tries to Jack Wighton and Shannon Boyd, the Raiders scored eight unanswered tries from the 15th minute onwards.