Kalyn Ponga has a shoulder charge problem. NSW will be hoping history repeats

June 8, 2026 — 7:30pm

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Kalyn Ponga, sent off for a shoulder charge in Origin I, wasn’t suspended. The punishment of effectively losing the game for Queensland was enough. But was it enough of a deterrent?

During Newcastle’s clash with Melbourne on Friday night, Ponga launched another shoulder charge in the last line of defence. He missed, so again he went unsanctioned.

As there have been no punishments or behaviour change, NSW can hope history repeats: the Queensland superstar might, at any minute, go shoulder first and get himself sent off again.

It’s still part of his game; it won’t seem so armless then.

In their loss to the Titans, the most fascinating game of the round, the Broncos were again a bunch of desperate individuals all trying to produce the grandstand moments.

Ezra Mam, reprieved from his midweek sacking, played like a man possessed – until, in the last minute, he played like a man possessed by madness, shunning a huge right-side overlap to go for the miracle grubber on the left.

Brisbane seem so bedazzled by........

© The Sydney Morning Herald