Queensland assistant Cameron Smith says coach Billy Slater has been in contact with potential Maroons fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh this season.
While Ponga is the incumbent number one, calls have recently come for Walsh to be handed his debut after he was named to the Maroons' squad in his first NRL season last year.
Although Ponga hasn’t reached his full potential in 2022, Smith believes an Origin camp could bring the best out of the Newcastle Knights captain and that Slater is “leaning” towards sticking with him as the starter.
“He hasn’t been at his best and I think he’s aware of that too,” Smith said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.
“Speaking to Billy Slater, he has been in contact with Kalyn across this season and he’s also been in contact with Reece Walsh as well.
“Some players they’re not finding their best form or feeling their best in club land, but as soon as they get out of there into an Origin camp or an environment, they seem to find a new sort of energy or exuberance about themselves and find their best again.
“Maybe Kalyn Ponga will do that if that’s the way Maroons selectors go and Bill as coach.
“I think that’s the way he’s leaning, having Kalyn as the number one.”
Former Bronco Denan Kemp also sides with Ponga, adding that he’s yet to let down the Maroons in any of his four Origin appearances thus far.
“To be fair, in Kalyn’s defence, he has played well essentially in every Origin game so far,” Kemp said.
“There was a period where he came in where some were saying, ‘Is he as good as Tedesco?’, I just think we forget.
“I think he’s got the runs on the board to keep his spot and in that environment under Billy Slater, if there’s one person in the entire world that can get the best out of a fullback, it’s Billy.
“Reece Walsh is still young as well, there’s plenty of time to get him in at fullback.”
Queensland’s squad for Game I will be announced in the lead-up to the series opener on June 8 in Sydney.