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Queensland Star Kalyn Ponga Ruled Out Of State Of Origin Game 1

Queensland Star Kalyn Ponga Ruled Out Of State Of Origin Game 1

It would be a huge blow for the Maroons.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Queensland Maroons fans, we come bearing some rather bad news.

Star fullback Kalyn Ponga has officially been ruled out of State of Origin Game 1 due to an ongoing groin injury he has been unable to shake.

Kalyn Ponga.
Twitter/NRL

The Newcastle Knights star has been nursing the strain for some time now and has not played for his club side since the Round 9 victory over the Canberra Raiders.

And even before that, a shoulder injury had kept him sidelined until Round 5.

Courier Mail writer Peter Badel broke the news, tweeting: "KALYN PONGA IS OUT OF ORIGIN ONE! Maroons doctors have made the call. Valentine Holmes tipped to start as fullback with Kyle Feldt set to debut on the wing."

And according to reports, Maroons head coach Paul Green has a couple of players on standby ready to don the No.1 jersey in Ponga's absence.

"I honestly don't know if 'KP' will be right, but we will give him some time," Queensland captain Cherry-Evans told the Courier Mail.

"Regardless of what happens, we have picked an extended squad with some good players who can step up if KP is out.

"Valentine Holmes has played fullback for the Cowboys and we have AJ Brimson (Titans custodian) in the squad as well."

Kalyn Ponga.
NRL

It's understood Premiership-winner Holmes is Green's first choice replacement fullback, meaning his North Queensland Cowboys teammate Kyle Feldt would slot in to make his Origin debut on the wing.

The bold back-up plan would welcome a fair bit of reshuffling in the Queensland backline, but it seems Green has already thought about a contingency strategy to cover for the injured Ponga.

Holmes is more than capable of deputising, although Ponga's absence alone will be a massive blow for the Maroons.

Featured Image Credit: NRL

Topics: Injury news, nrl, Australia

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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@maxysherry