Could this be an early preview of Queensland's answer to James Tedesco?
Just days after watching Tedesco burn the Maroons in State of Origin I, Kalyn Ponga gets a chance to show him up when Newcastle face the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
Ponga was parachuted in as an emergency replacement in the Origin opener, but could be in line to make his representative debut for game two after the Maroons loss.
Former NSW coach Phil Gould has already called for the Knights star to be picked at fullback - even if Billy Slater is available to return from injury.
And Ponga can show why in front of what is expected to be a strong crowd for their traditional Miners Round fixture at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Knights coach Nathan Brown is adamant Ponga will only have benefited from his time in camp soaking up the Origin atmosphere with the Maroons.
"I would've thought that's the best lesson he'll get for a long time," Brown said on Thursday.
"Whilst he didn't play, we're very grateful for the opportunity that (Maroons coach Kevin) Walters gave him to go and spend two-to-three days with Billy Slater, who people recognise as the greatest player to ever play in that position," Brown said.
"I'm sure he'll come back with some great experience and be able to offer that not only for himself, but our younger players who haven't been in those arenas yet."
Tedesco claimed man-of-the-match honours with a scintillating performance at the MCG, where he tallied game-highs in metres (224), tackle busts (13) and line break assists (2).
However Brown said the Roosters would have some scouting of their own to do.
"(Tedesco is) obviously a player when you're talking about the Roosters, you're doing your review, he's a player that figures highly," Brown said.
"We've got our own fullback who we imagine would figure highly in their plans as well. That'll be a great challenge not only for us, but a good contest for Kalyn up against Tedesco."
Brown is hopeful Ponga gets his crack at the Blues in the near future.
"All the right people from Queensland have acknowledged he's definitely going to be there at some stage. Probably the sooner the better for Kalyn," he said.
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