LIVE: Ponga axing a tactic in 'disaster' prevention

Blues fable Andrew Johns believes Queensland's determination to permission Kalyn Ponga retired of the broadside was an workout successful "disaster" prevention.

Speaking successful Nine's Freddy and The Eighth from wrong Blues campy successful Coogee, Johns said the full Maroons squad had been picked connected form.

He suggested Ponga's signifier was surely beardown capable to beryllium picked, but the lingering uncertainty astir his vulnerability to head-knocks was capable to permission him retired of the squad.

"(Queensland) is simply a truly well-balanced squad … It's a squad successful form," helium said.

"The Kalyn 1 possibly didn't astonishment maine excessively overmuch due to the fact that it's not connected form; it's astir the dramas with the concussions.

"If you suffer a fullback successful Origin, it's a catastrophe for your interchange."

Fittler said the information Maroons manager Billy Slater was "a immense fan" of Reece Walsh was besides a factor.

"The fullback (is) highly important … I deliberation Billy is conscionable a immense instrumentality of Reece Walsh," helium said.

"I deliberation helium wanted to prime him a mates of years agone earlier helium started coaching, and I tin spot wherefore - look astatine what he's done this twelvemonth astatine Brisbane."

Walsh was picked successful the 2021 and 2022 Maroons squads, and looked acceptable to marque his debut successful crippled 2 2021, earlier being ruled retired with injury.