Hopes of a Queensland State of Origin retirement have all but ended for Kalyn Ponga as the Newcastle full-back suffered a foot injury that will wipe him out for much of the NRL season.
The Knights confirmed on Monday that Ponga had suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot in Sunday’s 36-12 loss to Canterbury.
While Newcastle did not specify a timetable for Ponga’s return, the club’s head of football Peter Parr said it would be “months rather than weeks” until the number one returned to the field.
“Kalyn had tests Monday morning that confirmed she has a Lisfranc injury,” Parr said.
“Next steps will include consulting a surgeon and establishing an injury management program.”
Then-Canterbury prop Luke Thompson and Parramatta forward Wiremu Greig suffered a similar injury last year.
Thompson missed 20 weeks of NRL action, while Greig returned for nine, signaling the uncertainty Ponga and the Knights face as they chart a path back to full fitness.
The loss of Ponga comes as Newcastle struggle to rediscover the electrifying form that catapulted them to last year’s series finals.
Rookie David Armstrong played in the NSW Cup at fullback last week. And coach Adam O’Brien also has experienced campaigner Dane Gagai as an option to complete the shirt.
Ponga’s injury is also a major setback for Queensland coach Billy Slater as he looks to maintain the Maroons’ stranglehold on Origin.
Ponga missed last year’s series after repeated concussion problems, but his form at the end of last season, which saw him receive the Dally M Medal, had created a welcome headache for Slater.
The Maroons coach had been mulling over including Ponga and electric Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh in the same Queensland team, but that now looks like a moot point.
AAP
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