LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby League great Andrew Johns has sounded the alarm about the risky move Queensland is making with Kalyn Ponga in State of Origin 3.
Johns pointed out that if Ponga plays in the middle of the park, he will be facing a barrage of tackles that could impact his attacking abilities.
With Billy Slater planning to use Ponga as an extra playmaker, there's no doubt that the young star will be tasked with defending in the front line, potentially limiting his attacking flair.
The Maroons are banking on Ponga causing chaos around the ruck and exploiting tired NSW forwards, but if the Blues force him to do too much defensive work, they might be able to neutralize his impact on the game.
In his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, Johns expressed his concern about Ponga not playing in his preferred position of fullback.
However, he acknowledged that Ponga could be a double-edged sword in the middle of the park, posing a threat to the Blues if they are not alert and proactive in defense.
It's a high-stakes gamble for Queensland, and only time will tell if their decision to move Ponga out of his comfort zone will pay off in the crucial State of Origin clash.
With Ponga's undeniable talent, the Maroons are hoping he can be the spark that ignites their attack and turns the tide in their favor.
But as Johns has pointed out, the risks are just as great as the rewards in this bold tactical move.