Blues legend Andrew Johns believes Queensland’s decision to leave Kalyn Ponga out of its side was an exercise in “disaster” prevention.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth from inside Blues camp in Coogee, Johns said the entire Maroons squad had been picked on form.
He suggested Ponga’s form was certainly strong enough to be picked, but the lingering doubt about his vulnerability to repeat concussions was enough to leave him out of the squad.
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“[Queensland] is a really well-balanced team … It’s a team in form,” Johns said.
“The Kalyn one maybe didn’t surprise me too much because it’s not on form; it’s about the dramas with the concussions.
“If you lose a fullback in Origin, it’s a disaster for your interchange.”
Fittler said the fact Maroons coach Billy Slater was “a huge fan” of Reece Walsh was also a factor.
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“The fullback [is] extremely important … I think Billy is just a huge fan of Reece Walsh,” he said.
“I think he wanted to pick him a couple of years ago before he started coaching, and I can see why – look at what he’s done this year at Brisbane.”
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Walsh was picked in the 2021 and 2022 Maroons squads and looked set to make his Origin debut in game two 2021, before being ruled out with injury.
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