Wally Lewis says the form of Kalyn Ponga has been “the standout feature” of the World Cup and the newly minted Golden Boot winner’s battle with Reece Walsh looms as the decisive factor in the final.
The duo are State of Origin teammates for Queensland but fierce rivals ahead of the climax to the World Cup at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Ponga’s two stunning displays for the Kiwis either side of a broken forearm won him the prestigious Golden Boot while Walsh has been man of the match twice in his three matches in the tournament.
A ding-dong battle between the pair in the opening World Cup pool match, won 24-20 by the Kangaroos, was only cut short by Ponga leaving the field in the 70th minute after playing on with the injury.
Ponga, after winning his award on Thursday night, was asked about the prospect of him and Walsh lighting up the sold-out final.
“I’d like to. I hope he doesn’t,” Ponga grinned.
“I have a lot of respect for him. He is a great player and has been a great teammate in the past.
“We both focus on our role and our jobs. I am focused on what I can do to help this playing group. Hopefully I can have a few more moments than he does but there is a bigger goal at the end of it.”
Walsh, 24, has shown maturity and class to return from ankle surgery to play with poise and panache in the World Cup.
“I think his progression is just about how confident he is. He puts defenders under so much pressure, exactly the same as Kalyn,” Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo said.
“The way they do it is different, but ultimately it’s a similar sort of outcome most of the time, isn’t it?
“I’m sure he’ll be on their tip sheet for sure, and Kalyn’s probably on ours. Any time you’re playing a game like this, you want those kind of match-ups. It gets people watching and bums on seats.
“I’m really happy to be playing alongside (Walsh), don’t you worry.”
The clash won’t be all about the two fullbacks but they give the rest of their teammates belief and finish the good work of their respective packs.
“Kalyn’s performances have been the standout feature of the World Cup so far,” rugby league legend Lewis told AAP.
“He has been absolutely at his best and you can see the belief his teammates have in him. You have a look at his age (of 28) and you realise how far he has to go. He has something about him.”
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters made the tough choice to pick Walsh over Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco. It has proven to be the right one.
“I see what everyone else is seeing and Reece has just got that X-factor at the back,” Walters said.
“But that can’t come to light unless everyone else is doing their job. It’s not just Reece, it’s the whole group.
“They all contribute to each other and help each other be the players that they are.”
