NSW utility Connor Watson has urged the Blues to be on high alert as they look to shut down his former housemate Kalyn Ponga in next week's State of Origin decider.
The duo will each fill the bench utility role for their respective sides at Suncorp Stadium, with Ponga preparing for his first State of Origin appearance since 2022.
Watson and Ponga formed a close bond during their time together at the Knights, navigating a number of hurdles on and off the field.
So, it didn't take long for the Blues utility to reach out to his close mate upon hearing of his Maroons recall.
"It's pretty cool," Watson said. "I texted him when I heard the news and we both said how cool it is we're going to come up against each other in this really important game.
"We go back a couple of years and didn't think this would happen. We've both been on different journeys but it's been similar in many ways. I'm excited to go out there and play him next week."
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Watson and Ponga have each battled various injuries throughout the past few years, with the duo providing a shoulder to lean on during the tough times.
Watson struggled with an ankle injury through the early stages of 2020 before rupturing his Achilles in a Round 11 loss to the Bulldogs.
He battled a knee injury after his move to the Roosters and missed the entire 2023 season with a serious patella tendon injury.
Ponga has had to recover from multiple head knocks, with his 2022 and 2023 seasons heavily impacted by concussions.
He returned for the second half of last year's campaign with a bang, leading the Knights to the finals and taking home the Dally M Medal in a sparkling end to the season.
Kalyn Ponga's 2023 Dally M reel
A positive start to the 2024 campaign was derailed in Round 7 when he suffered a Lisfranc injury that ruled him out of the opening two Origin matches. A successful return to the field for Newcastle on Sunday was enough to convince Queensland coach Billy Slater that Ponga was the X-factor he needed in his team.
The fullback has conceded there were times he considered walking away from the game, with Watson glad Ponga opted to stay, even if it means NSW must contain an extra threat next Wednesday night.
"I'm stoked for him," Watson said. "I know how hard he's worked, almost having to give it away last year with the head knocks, then now the Lisfranc. He's showed a lot of resilience when he's played football for Newcastle.
"All the Queensland side is talented. For us the main focus has been on ourselves. We know they're a talented side, we know we've just got to control the things we can control and focus on ourselves."
Watson and Ponga will likely play similar roles at Suncorp Stadium, each player tasked with swinging the game in their team's favour amid tiring forward packs in the second half.
While Ponga has the speed and footwork to dance his way through opposition defences, Watson is a slightly bigger frame more used to matching it with larger opponents in the middle.
The Roosters forward has made the utility role his own in previous years, gaining selection due to his versatility and ability to play in the centres, halves, hooker and middle forward.
Ponga is more used to lining up at fullback but has form as a supersub in the Origin arena.
The Knights star made his Queensland debut off the bench in 2018, playing 52 minutes in what Blues legend Andrew Johns called the best debut in Origin history.
14. Kalyn Ponga's stellar Origin debut
Watson knows NSW can't afford a repeat next Wednesday night and backed his side to remain switched on each time Ponga has the ball in his hands.
"We saw it [in 2018] when he did such a great job coming through the middle. With any of those smaller guys with great feet are playing through the middle we're always on high alert because that's where you end up in the washing machine.
"When you see him coming through you've got to be on high alert. When we see him with the ball in his hands, we'll be really locking in."
