Tedesco vs Ponga: The battle that could decide Origin III

The fullback battle in tonight’s Origin decider between New South Wales and Queensland at Suncorp is one of the headliners and will play a sizeable role in determining which state reigns victorious.

James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga have had their moments both in this series and throughout their Origin careers.

A Man of the Match performance tonight could propel Tedesco to his third Brad Fittler Medal in five years and truly cement his name in New South Wales folklore.

Ponga, meanwhile, has not yet earnt himself Man of the Match honours at Origin level but tonight firms as a perfect opportunity to silence his often harsh critics and chew off his own slice of history.

Despite winning the past five Origin deciders at Suncorp, Queensland enter the match as outsiders.

With Cameron Munster ruled out after contracting the virus, all the pressure shifted onto short-priced favourites New South Wales, who are aiming to win their fourth series in five years under the tutelage of Fittler against a plucky team of Queensland underdogs.

Statistics through Origin I & II courtesy of NRL.com

Ponga’s role instantly becomes more crucial with Munster’s absence, especially if the Maroons put their faith in 21-year-old halfback Tom Dearden.

Dearden has enjoyed a breakout season under Todd Payten in North Queensland but expecting him to leave a Munster-esque imprint on tonight’s decider is unrealistic.

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Now a veteran of six Origin caps, Ponga presents as arguably Queensland’s most likely avenue towards points.

He is the only Queenslander to have assisted on multiple tries this series and leads all players in line break assists through the first two games.

Criticisms surrounding his work out of yardage and on the defensive side ball are reasonable but, if Queensland are to find the required points to win this decider, Ponga will need his hands on the football.

New South Wales have not been held to under two tries in any game of the Fittler era, so odds are Queensland will need to find a minimum of three tries to come out on top.

Ponga has proven dangerous as a sweeper on shift plays, a second- or third-receiver playing off his halves on an open side, and as a first-receiver down short sides.

With Munster missing, expect the Blues to send added pressure Ponga’s way in an attempt to stifle these actions.

Ponga is a deadly runner of the football when opportunities present themselves and, by staying active around the ruck and searching for opportunities against staggered defensive lines, he can do his best to replicate the incisions Munster has made throughout his Origin career.

Tedesco, meanwhile, is a very much proven commodity; he will get his hands all over the football and run himself to a standstill.

Arguably the best yardage fullback in rugby league, Tedesco heads a three-pronged, metre-eating monster alongside wingers Brian To’o and Daniel Tupou.

Whilst he took major strides as a ball-player last season with the Roosters, that aspect of his game has not quite translated to the Origin arena this series.

He is adept at loitering around the ruck with ball in hand and waiting to pounce on opportunities created by tired defenders.

His 18 tackle busts through the first two outings is more than any other player; he is an absolute menace to tackle and has been for a long time.

Both Tedesco and Ponga are vastly different fullbacks; Tedesco’s involvement is nonstop and creates opportunities through sheer effort, whilst Ponga tends to pick his moments and use his combination of speed, footwork, and ball-playing to make life easier for his outside men.

Despite Tedesco’s involvement seeming somewhat predictable, he has been one of this generation’s greatest footballers on the big stage and will be one of New South Wales’ best, win or lose.

Ponga, on the other hand, is more of a wildcard.

He will not involve himself as much as his Blues counterpart but when the points are needed his teammates will look to him and he has shown an ability to deliver.

No matter the result of tonight’s historic decider, expect plenty of chatter to surround both number ones. Join TopSport Here

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