'I'm not proud of it': Ponga disappointed over send off

Kalyn Ponga had no idea he had been sent off in Origin I, instead believing he had been sin-binned until Maroons officials told him in the dressing room that he could not return.

Ponga was sent from the field by referee Ashely Klein for a shoulder charge on NSW winger Tolu Koula in the 57th minute of Wednesday night’s 2026 series opener at Accor Stadium and forced to watch as the Blues piled on 16 unanswered points to snatch a 22-20 win.

The 28-year-old Queensland fullback had come across in cover defence to help his teammate Sam Walker try to push a runaway Koula over the sideline and the pair clashed heads.

However, replays showed that Ponga had his left shoulder had struck Koula in the head.

The NRL judiciary handed Ponga a grade two shoulder charge and if he takes the early plea he will lose 23 per cent of his match payment but be free to play for the Newcastle Knights on Saturday against Parramatta.

“I didn’t realise it was a send-off when I left (the field). I thought it was 10 minutes (in sin bin) and they might assess me for a head knock,” Ponga said.

Ponga spoke to reporters with his left ear covered in blood, confirming that was a result of the collision with Koula.

“At the end of the day it is what it is and the ref made his decision," he said. "I was disappointed obviously because there was a bit going on.”

NSW scored three tries over the remaining 23 minutes of the match – to debutant five-eighth Ethan Strange, halfback Nathan Cleary and fullback James Tedesco to win the match 22-20.

Ponga was remorseful about his actions.

“I’m not proud about it as the boys had to work extra hard because I wasn’t on the field,” he said.

“I was pretty proud because they played with 12 for 20 minutes and had to defend their line; the effort they put in.

“For it to come down to the last minute-and-a-half (Tedesco’s try in the 78th minute) is pretty heartbreaking.

“On the flip side it was down to the last minute so you’re pretty proud of the boys.”

Asked if he felt he had lost the game for Queensland, Ponga said: “I’m not going to answer that.”

“I’m not proud of it obviously because the boys had to work a lot harder with me being off the field, but s—t happens.

“At the end of the day it was my actions that forced the boys to work extra hard so there is a level of responsibility.”

Ponga said he had not had a chance to speak with Koula afterwards.

“But I hope he’s Okay. I believe he didn’t pass his head knock (assessment). I’ve been through that process so I hope he’s alright.”

Before his departure Ponga had threatened NSW with almost every touch of the ball being elusive and dangerous in attack.

He had 13 runs for 121 metres, a line-break assist, four tackle-busts, and defused three kicks.

“You’re too much being present to think how well you’re going,” Ponga said. “I was just trying to do my job.”

He spent the rest of the match in the Queensland coach’s box and said he felt the series was still very much alive as players head to Melbourne of Game Two on June 17.

“We’ll take some lessons out of tonight for use – it’s one game of three.”