Kalyn Ponga in shock suspension twist as NSW State of Origin player rubbed out for two games
The Queensland fullback has learned his fate after being sent off.
Kalyn Ponga has sensationally avoided a suspension due to a quirk in the NRL rules despite being charged with a Grade 2 shoulder charge that saw him sent off in State of Origin 1. The Queensland fullback was given his marching orders after collecting NSW winger Tolu Koula in the head with his shoulder.
Koula later failed a head injury assessment (HIA), meaning he’ll be stood from playing for the next 11 days. Cruelly, it means he’ll miss the next two games for Manly – in two days’ time against Cronulla and eight days against Souths.
But despite the fact Koula is now out for two games, Ponga avoided a suspension from the match review committee on Wednesday night. The NRL changed the rules in recent years to give greater leniency to incidents that occur in rep games – Origin and Test matches.
Only a Grade 3 charge or above triggers a suspension from an incident that occurred in State of Origin. Ponga was slapped with a Grade 2 charge on Wednesday night, which equates to a fine of 23 per cent of his match fee (roughly $6900).
If the incident had occurred in a regular NRL game, Ponga would be looking at a two-game suspension. Had he been hit with a Grade 3 charge on Wednesday night he would face a three-game ban and miss State of Origin 2.
Kalyn Ponga dejected after State of Origin loss
Despite dodging a ban, Ponga admitted after the game he felt like he let his team down. Queensland were up 20-6 when he was sent off, but NSW came home to win 22-20 with an extra player for the last 22 minutes.
“I’m not proud of it,” Ponga said. “The boys had to work a lot harder because of me being off the field so that is something I am not proud of. But shit happens.
“At the end of day it was my action that forced the boys to work extra hard. So there is a level of responsibility there. For it to come down to the last minute and a half, it’s pretty heartbreaking. I was the reason it happened.”
(Darrian Traynor)
Queensland coach Billy Slater refused to weigh in on whether he agreed with the send-off. “We can argue all we want, I haven’t got any problems with it,” he said. “(Kalyn)’s OK, he feels he’s let his team down.
“They happen at the back. I played that position, I know how it is. Spur of the moment, it was wet out there. Those things happen. I thought it was a courageous effort (from the team). I’m heartbroken for them.”
Queensland stars Cameron Munster and Pat Carrigan both said they felt the send-off was harsh. Meanwhile, Queensland hooker Harry Grant was also charged by the match review committee for a Grade 1 careless high tackle on Ethan Strange and fined seven per cent of his match fee.