Kalyn Ponga has failed in his bid to be fit for Origin I, with Kyle Feldt expected to make his Maroons debut on the wing and Cowboys teammate Valentine Holmes to shift to fullback.
Queensland’s medical staff made the definitive call on Ponga’s groin injury on Wednesday morning, a week out from the June 9 series opener in Townsville.
“Kalyn has been progressing with his rehab but time is against us and the decision has been made for him to return to the Newcastle Knights where he can focus on further recovery,” team doctor Matt Hislop said.
