PONGA FLICKS SWITCH
Queensland are sweating on the fitness of Dylan Napa after it was revealed the prop arrived in camp for Sunday’s State of Origin II clash in Perth with a fractured wrist.
The Maroons said Napa underwent scans on Monday after complaining of a sore hand suffered in the Bulldogs’ NRL loss to Sydney Roosters last weekend.
“Dylan has a small break in one of his wrist bones and we’re providing treatment to give him every chance to play,” LAINE CLARK IN PERTH
Queensland No.1 Kalyn Ponga has refused to speculate about a future in rugby union but has declared he wants to be the next Johnathan Thurston.
Ponga confirmed Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had called him but yesterday he repeatedly deflected questions about a possible code switch.
It was revealed last week that Cheika spoke with 21year-old Ponga in what was believed to be a bid to lure the NRL superstar to rugby.
Ponga – contracted to NRL club Newcastle until the end of the 2021 season – was in no mood to expand on his conversation with Cheika when asked about it as he prepared for Sunday’s State of Origin II clash in Perth.
“That (call) was ages ago. But I don’t want to touch on that,” Ponga, who described himself as a “New Zealander/ Queenslander”, said.
Asked if rugby was a future option, Ponga said: “I don’t want to touch on that, I am here to focus on Queensland.”
The Maroons fullback did however detail his rugby league plans, saying he wanted to emulate NRL great and former Maroons doctor Matt Hislop said yesterday.
Napa has played with the injury in recent weeks but re-injured his hand in the opening exchanges of the match against his old club.
The 26-year-old noticeably favoured his right hand throughout the clash but still finished with 23 tackles and 10 runs from a 49-minute stint.
While Napa has managed to play with the injury in recent weeks there North Queensland teammate Thurston.
Ponga made his NRL debut at the Cowboys and trained alongside Thurston in 2016 and 2017 before his move to the Knights.
Ponga missed a chance to play Origin with his idol Thurston, who retired last year, but said he remains an inspiration.
“I would love to be the next JT. That would be cool,” he said.
“JT is one of the those blokes who doesn’t know what he is going to do, he just does it.
“As someone learning I was just watching what he was doing more than him telling me (at the Cowboys) because he is just a freak, and does things off the cuff. It was inspiring.”
Ponga hopes to take his first step toward emulating his hero in Origin II – just his second game starting at the back for the Maroons.
“The first 10-20 minutes was the fastest footy I had played but I felt comfortable,” he said of of Queensland’s 18-14 Origin I win.
“I want to build on my last performance and get better. And winning the last game, the feeling is something you can’t describe but I want to feel it again.” were fresh concerns about the seriousness of the latest setback.
The Queensland forward pack has already been ravaged by injury with Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue sidelined through injury.
Napa has been promoted to the starting side having started Origin I off the interchange bench.
The Maroons have uncapped Melbourne prop Christian Welch as part of their extended squad.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters gave little away about Napa’s injury concerns when quizzed this week, opting instead to heap praise on his prop.
“I just feel the time is right for Dylan Napa to make his mark at this level,” Walters said.
“It’s really disappointing to lose Jai because his workrate and attitude typifies everything about this Queensland team.” Photo: Adam Head Photo: AAP