Hopes of a Queensland State of Origin recall are all however over for Kalyn Ponga because of the Newcastle full-back struggling a foot harm that can wipe him out for a giant chunk of the NRL season.
The Knights confirmed on Monday that Ponga had sustained a Lisfranc harm in his proper foot in Sunday’s 36-12 loss to Canterbury.
Whereas Newcastle didn’t specify a time line for Ponga’s return, the membership’s soccer boss Peter Parr mentioned it might be “months relatively than weeks” till the primary was again on the sector.
“Kalyn had scans on Monday morning confirming he has a Lisfranc harm,” Parr mentioned.
“The subsequent steps will embody seeing a surgeon and establishing an harm administration program.”
Then-Canterbury prop Luke Thompson and Parramatta ahead Wiremu Greig suffered the same harm final yr.
Thompson missed 20 weeks of NRL motion, whereas Greig was again inside 9 — indicating the uncertainty dealing with Ponga and the Knights as they plot a path again to full health.
The lack of Ponga comes as Newcastle battle to rediscover the electrifying kind which catapulted them into final yr’s finals sequence.
Rookie David Armstrong performed in NSW Cup at full-back final week. And coach Adam O’Brien additionally has skilled campaigner Dane Gagai as an choice to fill jersey.
ABC Sport might be dwell running a blog each spherical of the AFL and NRL seasons in 2024.
Ponga’s harm can be a significant setback for Queensland coach Billy Slater as he seems to be to take care of the Maroons’ Origin stranglehold.
Ponga sat out final yr’s sequence following repeated concussion points, however his kind on the again finish of final season — which led to him being awarded the Dally M Medal — had created a welcome headache for Slater.
The Maroons coach had been mulling the way to match Ponga and electrical Brisbane full-back Reece Walsh into the identical Queensland facet, however that now seems a moot level.
AAP
Posted 40m ago40 minutes agoMon 22 Apr 2024 at 5:35am
