LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga may be sidelined for the State of Origin decider and potentially the remainder of the NRL season due to a foot injury sustained during Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra.
Reports indicate that Ponga hobbled off the field in the second half after a tackle from Morgan Smithies and was seen post-game in a protective moonboot.
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien has stated that Ponga will undergo scans soon, but there is concern that the injury will prevent him from participating in the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium.
This absence poses a dilemma for Queensland coach Billy Slater, who will need to find a replacement for the key position of fullback.
Potential candidates include recalling Reece Walsh from Brisbane or shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from wing to fullback.
This is not Ponga's first injury setback; he missed eight games last season and spent 10 weeks on the sidelines due to a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot.
With eight matches left in the next ten weeks of the regular season, a similar diagnosis could effectively end Ponga's 2025 NRL campaign.
However, O'Brien cautioned that it is premature to determine the severity of Ponga's current injury.