Rugby league legends Paul Gallen and Darryl Brohman have revealed their preferences for Kalyn Ponga to stay at fullback after he produced a vintage second half performance against Manly on Sunday to seal victory.
Ponga had one try assist and two line break assists on his return to the No.1 jersey, after switching to five-eighth during pre-season.
Regular fullback Lachie Miller was dropped to the bench in a significant shake-up with Tyson Gamble at five-eighth, and it appears that spine may be the best for Newcastle as a team.
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Former Queensland prop Brohman believes the No.1 jersey is ideal for Ponga, not only for what he offers in attack, but also protecting him from head knocks in defence.
“If I was coaching yes, I think he’s a fullback,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“When he’s copped the head knocks, this year in particular, it’s mainly been when he’s defending, he doesn’t have to do too much defence at fullback.”
Gallen agreed that defence is proving to be the main issue for Ponga when playing five-eighth, having already been ruled out for a number of weeks this season with a concussion.
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The representative star was overlooked for the Maroons ahead of the State of Origin opener with Queensland coach Billy Slater stating Ponga needs to play more football.
“A lot (of his concussions) are in defence as (Darryl) said … Kalyn Ponga’s a guy that’s pretty much played fullback all through his junior grades so he hasn’t had be in the frontline having to making 25 tackles a game so he’s just not used to it,” Gallen told 100% Footy.
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“He probably hasn’t learnt to tackle properly to be honest … so putting him back to fullback, I agree with (Darryl), I think it’s probably the best thing for his career.”
Brohman went on to praise Ponga for his second half showing against the Sea Eagles.
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“I thought he was a bit slow in the first half but his second half he was outstanding for them and he was clearly the best player on the field,” he said.
“He’s such a great mover, I think they’ve got to try save him as best they can, he’s involved in every try they’ve scored just about … but he’s just a super player and he did cop a couple of knocks earlier in the game and I think a couple of us held our breath.”
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