Queensland coach Billy Slater has admitted he “hasn’t got any problems” with referee Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga in the State of Origin series opener, even though the controversial call then allowed the Blues to produce the greatest ever comeback in Origin history.
Ponga landed an ugly high shot on Blues winger Tolu Koula 57 minutes into the contest, denying the little winger a chance to score with illegal play. At that stage, Queensland led 20–6 and had been dominating the match at Accor Stadium despite coming in as $2.20 underdogs.
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Koula was taken from the field, and Klein — overruling the Bunker, who said it was a sin-bin — decided Ponga had done enough to be ejected from the match.
Queensland failed to score another point with 12 men on the park (and actually hadn’t scored since the 16th minute), while Ethan Strange, Nathan Cleary, and then right at the death, James Tedesco all scored to put the Blues up 22–20 and complete the comeback.
Nathan Cleary kicked two goals in a 40/20 in the last 20 minutes.
While many believe the Blues would never have had a chance should Ponga have just been sin-binned, Slater said he wasn’t worried.
“It is what it is… we can argue all we want, but it is what it is, let’s call them. I haven’t got any problems with it,” he told media after the defeat.
Slater was also asked how he saw the “initial collision,” but he ignored that as well. “You’ve asked me how I saw it, I haven’t got a problem with it, it’s fine. I’m not going to make any more noise about it. It is what it is,” he responded.
Instead, he spoke about working with Ponga to overcome the mistake. “He’s okay, he obviously feels he’s let his team down, but those things happen in games. They happen really quick,” Slater said on his No.1.
“I played that position, I know how hard it is and spur of the moment, it’s wet out there, things happen. I thought it was a courageous effort.”
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“I am heartbroken for them, the effort they put in… New South Wales did a great job, they had to chase the points down, and they got them right at the death,” the Queensland coach then added. “It was a tough night and a tough feeling, but I thought they played with plenty of spirit.”
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Apparently, Ponga went into the coaching box after the match finished to apologise to Slater personally, and said he was “heartbroken.” Interestingly, the NRL has only fined Ponga some $6,900 for the incident and has deemed he’s okay to play for the Knights on Saturday against the Eels.
He will also then be available for the second pivotal Origin match, to be played in Melbourne. Slater is likely to pick him, despite the brain snap.
When asked if he’d make changes, Slater said: “Not at this stage, no.”
