{"id":410379,"date":"2024-07-08T08:18:49","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T08:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=410379"},"modified":"2024-07-08T09:05:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T09:05:44","slug":"ponga-reflects-on-scary-reality-after-maroons-recall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=410379","title":{"rendered":"Ponga reflects on scary 'reality' after Maroons recall"},"content":{"rendered":"

K\ufeffalyn Ponga<\/a> has admitted he "wasn't ready" for State of Origin<\/a> football last year – but he's more than up for the task heading into this year's decider.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old ruled himself out of playing for the Maroons<\/a> last year after dealing with concussions early in the campaign with the Knights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

His absence opened the door for young gun Reece Walsh<\/a> to light up the Origin arena and play a major role in Queensland retaining the shield.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Slater explains Maroons axing, Fifita absence<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> AFL rivals unite after revelations of 'abhorrent' abuse<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Sharks rocked by 'serious' Hynes injury<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\ufeffPonga was again missing for his state in the first two games of this series, sidelined with a footy injury, but will return for an epic decider at Suncorp Stadium next week.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The fullback has played just 80 minutes of football in the past three months, helping Newcastle to a hard-fought victory over the Raiders on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Queensland selectors had no concerns catapulting Ponga straight into the lineup, with the reigning Dally M Medal winner named on the bench for game three.<\/p>\n

Speaking to media on Monday, Ponga admitted he went through a "difficult period" 12 months ago, but is now in the perfect frame of mind to take on the Blues.<\/p>\n

Watch the 2024 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and <\/strong><\/em>9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.\ufeff<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

"I'm definitely excited – I know what this environment is like and what it's like to play for this team and this state," he said.<\/p>\n

"It was a difficult period for me. I wasn't ready mentally and physically for this arena. I was just coming back from everything that was going on with me personally.<\/p>\n

"The decision that was made by Billy [Slater] and myself was the best for me at that point in time. I'm extremely grateful and to go and have the year that I had was huge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"I've never really doubted myself. I always wanted to be back in this arena, I'm never gonna close the door on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"I know what this arena takes. I will warm my shoulders up and get myself right."<\/p>\n

Walsh has retained the No.1 jumper for the decider, with Ponga expected to play in the middle of the field in a roving utility role, giving the Maroons an added threat in attack.<\/p>\n

Ponga also acknowledged his issues with injury and concussion could have prematurely ended his career, but is grateful to be back fit and firing.<\/p>\n

"Yeah, it was a reality for a bit there," he said.<\/p>\n

"I think I've always been pretty grateful of the position I'm in. I've always had that sort of mindset of when you do go to a pretty low point, everything is pretty good after that.<\/p>\n

"The way I finished last year, I was extremely grateful and I know what it takes now to be at the top and be the best version of myself."<\/p>\n

Ponga was one of three changes to the Queensland side, with Dane Gagai and Selwyn Cobbo replacing the injured Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi in the backline.<\/p>\n

Jaydn Su'A was dropped for the decider, allowing Kurt Capewell to join the starting back-row and Ponga coming onto the interchange. \ufeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

K\ufeffalyn Ponga has admitted he "wasn't ready" for State of Origin football last year – but he's more than up for the task heading into […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":410381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410379"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=410379"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":410384,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410379\/revisions\/410384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/410381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=410379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=410379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=410379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}