A heated debate has erupted on NRL360 after Queensland coach Billy Slater was accused of abandoning his ‘pick and stick’ approach for the State of Origin opener.
Slater made the controversial call to axe Maroons stars Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga for Game 1 against the Blues on Wednesday week.
Ponga has copped four concussions in the past 12 months and was sent for an HIA following an innocuous knock last weekend, which the 25-year-old passed.
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It proved enough for Slater to take a cautious approach and pick Reece Walsh at fullback instead of Ponga.
But veteran rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield said the selections made a mockery of longstanding Queensland claims that they show faith in incumbent stars, unlike their rivals south of the border.
“They’ve thrown loyalty out the window. No Ponga after that game he played two weeks ago, one of the best individual performances I’ve seen all year,” he said on NRL 360.
“No Gagai – 22 Origins straight, I’m surprised they haven’t stuck more solid.”
Rothfield then challenge Queensland legend Gorden Tallis: “You’ve always been big on loyalty you guys”.
Tallis, however, said Ponga’s omission was a blessing.
“Only the select few get to retire from Origin, only the select few. When it comes to Kalyn Ponga, you talk about loyalty, I think it’s a relief for him,” Tallis responded.
“I think the pressure going into an Origin after having the season that he’s had, he got a soft knock the other day. Origin is the toughest arena and he got a soft knock and went straight off.
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“He put his hand up and is proud to play for Queensland but I reckon now that he’s sitting at home on the couch relived he can get a month of tough footy under his belt.
The Australian’s Brent Read said loyalty was irrelevant in Ponga’s case.
“I don’t think you can play the loyalty card on Kalyn, because there is a concern over him, a legitimate concern,” Read said.
“Doesn’t matter what he did, that’s not the issue.”
But Rothfield argued the Knights have declared Ponga fit to play Manly on Sunday and they wouldn’t risk their best player if he was injured.
“Newcastle are saying they’ve examined him… the point is with Ponga, he won man of the match last year, he’s a superstar player on $1.5 million, he had a barnstorming game (two weeks ago),” Rothfield said.
“If they’re not going to start him they should pick one hooker who can play 40 minutes and Ponga should be in the 14 (jumper). He can cover every position in the backline and it’s disloyal what they’ve done to him.
“Kalyn Ponga on what he did last year, deserves to be in that side.”
The panel then continued to trade barbs as Tallis claimed that on form Walsh was the obvious selection in the No.1 jersey for Queensland.
“Queensland is not desperate, they’ve got Reece Walsh playing,” Tallis said.
“Reece Walsh is playing better than him and I actually do believe it is a relief for Kalyn Ponga.”
“You can’t compare the intensity of an NRL game to what he would be playing next week,” Read added.
“NSW put up every bomb and they would clatter him every time he got the ball, you don’t think that would mess with him a little bit. I think it would.”
Braith Anasta, however, wasn’t buying it,
“I love it how the loyalty has just gone,” he said.
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Gagai’s axing was another selection decision that turned heads.
The 32-year-old had played 22 consecutive games for Queensland from his debut in 2015 through to the decider last year.
“Whether he’s played centre or wing, he’s always got the job done and that’s why I’m surprised,” Rothfield said.
“I thought they would have given him the first game of the series… Queensland, I’m just use to them sticking solid all the time – no matter the circumstances.”
Read backed Rothfield’s opinion and admitted even he was “surprised” he was dropped.
“I’ll give you Gagai, I’m surprised he’s not there,” Read said.
“He has been one of Queensland’s best players for what is it eight series in a row, he has always aimed up and always done a job.
“I’m shocked he missed out on selection…. I think the loyalty card has gone out the window on Gagai and I think it is disappointing.”