Cameron Munster switch gathers steam as Ponga faces brutal axing from Origin
Cameron Munster playing fullback for Queensland might not be as far-fetcher as it seems, particularly after another uninspiring performance from Kalyn Ponga on Friday night. Ponga started the year in superb form and edged ahead of Reece Walsh in the race to be Billy Slater's Maroons fullback.
With Walsh suffering a knee injury and ruled out of Origin 1, the spot is there for the taking for Ponga. But the Knights have now lost seven of their last eight games, and Ponga's form has fallen off a cliff.
The superstar fullback had 22 runs for a whopping 254 metres in a 28-6 loss to Parramatta on Friday night. He broke six tackles and made two line-breaks, helping set up the Knights' only try to James Schiller.
It was probably enough to convince Slater to pick him in Origin 1 on May 28, but many were left suggesting the concerning dip in form might be too big of a risk. Slater has the option of using Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, but would likely prefer he remains in the centres.
There have also been whispers in recent days that Slater is even considering using Munster at fullback to accomodate Tom Dearden at five-eighth. Dearden has been in good form for the Cowboys and is the incumbent No.6 for the Australian Kangaroos.
With Daly Cherry-Evans seemingly a lock to play halfback despite some poor form of his own, Slater could look to utilise both Munster and Dearden in the starting team. It would mean Ponga is forced to play the No.14 role off the bench, or miss out entirely.
Injured utility Ben Hunt even flagged the possibility of Munster playing fullback this week. "There's definitely really good options - depending on what Billy wants to do," he said on 4BC radio.
"You're hearing some chat about maybe Munster going to fullback and things like that. If he wants to put Munster at fullback and start Tommy (Dearden) in the halves, then you've got KP (Kalyn Ponga) on the bench, so that's pretty handy as well. [Ponga's] debut he played in the middle and was probably our best player. He wouldn't be a bad option."
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Ponga started on the bench in Game 3 last year with Walsh at fullback, but wasn't particularly effective when he came on the field. The Maroons' attack looked a bit clunky, with too many playmakers trying to get involved.
Discussing the possibility of Munster playing fullback on Friday, NRL Immortal Andrew Johns described it as "ridiculous". He said on the 'Immortal Behaviour' podcast: "You don't weaken one position to strengthen another. Munster hasn't played fullback for a long time and fitness-wise, it's totally different - you are doing a lot more running.
"You're also organising the defensive line, that's an art in itself. It won't happen … not at all."
Speaking on Friday night after Newcastle's loss, Ponga admitted his form isn't where he'd like it to be. 'I want to be there obviously," he said of State of Origin selection. "It's a prestigious jersey. It's an honour to wear (the Queensland) jersey. I would love to be in that arena again.'
Ponga is terrible. Munster deserves the fullback spot over him. #NRLKnightsEels
— Daniel (@danieleth00) May 16, 2025
Ponga will lose the origin series for us if he's picked at FB for QLD
— Gillyman (@gillyman96) May 16, 2025
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