Slater gives Ponga nod for Origin

QUEENSLAND Maroons great Billy Slater believes his Origin No.1 jersey should be inherited by whiz-kid Kalyn Ponga this year.

The Newcastle Knights’ five-eighth will tonight launch his 2019 season in the unfamiliar No.6 jersey when they take on the Cronulla Sharks at Mcdonald Jones Stadium.

Ponga, 20, will partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves tonight as he begins his transition from fullback to five-eighth.

The limelight has been on the youngster leading into their season opener following his breakout year with the Knights in 2018.

His scintillating form led to him making his debut for Queensland in Game Two last year, where he played off the bench for 52 minutes and racked up 29 tackles.

Ahead of tonight’s clash, former Maroons fullback Slater said his No.1 jersey should be passed on to Ponga.

“If you were picking the team now, you’d go … Kalyn Ponga at fullback,” he said.

“There’s the challenge for him having played No.6 for the Knights and then jumping into the fullback position.

“I don’t think his attack would change a whole heap. I think it’s more his positional stuff and being on top of that.”