Kalyn Ponga being ruled out of State of Origin III is a massive blow for the Maroons. Heโs one of the best players in the game and his phenomenal ability will be sorely missed, not only for the Queensland side, but also for the State of Origin spectacle, although not that the NSW team will be thinking that.
After the high of game one, where the Kevin Walters looked set to lead his side to yet another series won, the Maroons have been brought back down to reality with injuries and a crushing defeat in game two. Jai Arrow and Ponga are the casualties, and although Ponga gets the attention, Arrowโs contribution and value to the side cannot be understated, at just the tender age of 23, heโs already a pack leader and someone the side depends on heavily.
Every dark cloud provides a silver lining however, and with the loss of arguably the most prodigious talent in rugby league, in steps Cameron Munster at fullback, the laid back Melbourne superstar, who has slowly ascended into the most dangerous five-eighth the game has to offer, and a player the Blues fear the most.ย
So highly regarded is Munster, he was even touted as a smokey for the Queensland captaincy, although in the end it went to DCE, it was still a mark of how respected and valued Munster is north of the border. Munster isnโt even in the leadership group down in Melbourne, but so strong is his tight hold on the Queensland jersey, where heโs viewed as the long term leader of this proud state, that the Maroons seriously considered passing him the captains armband.
Munster is such a naturally talented player, he could play anywhere on the park, heโs represented his country in the centres, played in clubland in the 6 and 1, and I even think heโd make a decent lock forward, considering how strong he is. The most telling factor in Munster's ability is that he makes a difference wherever he plays, and wherever he plays, he sticks to what heโs good at - running and simply playing whatโs in front of him.
Heโs not a half thatโs going to get you to your points on the field, stick to the structure and play block for block all the time. Itโs not his strength, it restricts him. Heโs best when thereโs a quick play of the ball and he goes off instinct, using that big right-hand fend and sharp, snappy left foot step to bamboozle defenders.ย
Countless times over his career in first grade has Munster just produced something out of nothing, his game one performance, especially that first half was one of the most damaging by a half Iโve seen in a long time, the way he simply he dragged Queensland back into the contest after a very poor first 20 minutes, Munster was the catalyst.
Remember his Origin debut, in a decider against the best NSW side in years? It was one of the best and most accomplished performances Iโve seen from a player in years, and arguably the greatest Origin debut weโve ever seen.ย
Which is why the NSW state shouldnโt be so quick to write off a Maroons side with no Ponga. Because the man replacing him is just as dangerous.
Phil Gould came out this week and reiterated what Iโve just said, that the Blues should be fearful of Munster. Heโs quoted as saying โIโm really fearful that Munster plays there. Heโs the kind of kid who thinks he can win it from there. Heโll think he can get his hands on the ball a lot more often, heโll have a license to go anywhere on the field. And he will feel he can be the difference, and thatโs dangerous.โ
Gouldโs opinions carry weight, heโs one of the most respected figures in rugby league, with one of the sharpest rugby league brains around.ย
Heโs deceptively one of the strongest players in the game, extremely hard to bring down and a nightmare in one on one situations.ย
With a move to fullback, a position he started his career, where he made an extremely astute replacement for none other than Billy Slater, it allows Munster to take a step back, not be on the front line and to pick and choose his moments. In game two, I felt he was trying so hard to create something, but playing off the back of a pack that was dominated, itโs a near impossible task.
At fullback, he steps out of that first receiver role where heโs given a lot of attention, and it allows Corey Norman to step in on the left edge, and play the first receiver, creating the space for Munster to operate out the back of the shape.ย
I like the inclusion of Norman, heโs a specialist left sided half, with a fantastic kicking game. Heโs also a noted organiser, part of the reason why he and Moses didnโt work, and this will only help DCEโs game as it will take some of the playmaking burden off his shoulders.
He has that laid back attitude thatโs required of someone whoโs stepping in on their debut in a must-win match, and reminds me of the way Brett Finch came in for the Origin opener in 2006 and won them the game with that famous field goal.
Munster has been vocal in his preference to play in the 1 jersey, and itโs well noted the effect a move from the front line to fullback can have on a player. Look at the way Pongaโs form skyrocketed when he was shifted into the 1, even Anthony Milford on the weekend, who I thought had one of his best games of the year simply because he can focus on his strengths, and pick and choose when to inject himself.ย
Thatโs why I think Munster will be even more involved, he wonโt have to worry about getting his side to points on the field or organising his players into position, and I think thatโs when heโs at his most creative.
He wonโt need to be playing first receiver and squaring up defences to play to his outside men, he can play out the back of his 6 and 7 doing that, and allow himself the space to be really damaging with his running game.ย
Iโm not suggesting the Maroons are better off without Ponga, they arenโt. He will be sorely missed. It does, however, create an opportunity for one of the games best players to have a free reign in terms of where he plays and when he injects himself, something he struggled with in game two with how dominant the Blues' side was.ย
Itโs a mammoth task for the Maroons to overcome the Blues. Their pack needs to step up big time, something they failed miserably with in game two.ย
If they do muscle up and stay in the game, look for the mercurial Munster to really stamp his mark on the biggest stage.
