Hopes of a Queensland State of Origin recall are all but over for Kalyn Ponga after the Newcastle fullback suffered a foot injury that will wipe him out for a big chunk of the NRL season. The Knights confirmed on Monday that Ponga had sustained a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in Sunday’s 36-12 loss to Canterbury. While Newcastle did not specify a timeline for Ponga’s return, the club’s football boss, Peter Parr, said it would be “months rather than weeks” until the No.
Thompson missed 20 weeks of NRL action, while Greig was back within nine - indicating the uncertainty facing Ponga and the Knights as they plot a path back to full fitness. The loss of Ponga comes with Newcastle struggling to rediscover the electrifying form which catapulted them into last year’s finals series. Rookie David Armstrong played in NSW Cup at fullback last week, while coach Adam O’Brien also has experienced campaigner Dane Gagai as an option to fill the No.1 jersey.