during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at Sanctuary Cove on June 21, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia.

Queensland have taken a huge gamble in naming 20 year-old Kalyn Ponga in their 17 for the must-win Origin Two match up this Sunday night.

In announcing Ponga's Origin debut Kevin Walters has dropped the far more experienced, and versatile Anthony Milford. Ponga is expected to make his debut off the bench as Billy Slater looks fit and ready to take his place in the potential decider.

The call to include Ponga in the squad was almost deafening following the Maroons 22-12 loss in Melbourne's series opener.

Despite only having 24 first-grade NRL games to his name, Ponga is currently in blistering form. Although the Dally M count went private in recent weeks, the thought is that he is currently leading the race to win the game's highest individual honour.

He currently sits a ridiculous $3.25 betting favourite to have the medal draped around his neck. Panthers and fellow Origin star James Maloney is rated a $6.00 chance at the second-shortest odds.

Despite Newcastle's struggles, Ponga has light up the competition. He is being talked about as Billy Slater's replacement at Origin level and despite only being in his first full season at this level is being pushed as the next Kangaroo's fullback also.

He has 116 tackle breaks, with Nick Cotric's 91 a distant second best. He also equal leads the competition in line-break assists with 13. He also has 100 more kick return metres than his second closest rival. Not bad for a 20-year old with only 24 games to his name.

Despite Ponga's incredible talents the gamble to blood him in a match of this magnitude is mammoth.

Queensland need to win this game to keep the contest alive. ANZ Stadium is set to sell out with an 80 percent plus dominant New South Wales crowd.

Ponga has been named on the bench and enters the contest with unparalleled hype for a kid of his age and experience.

There is an expectation within fans that Ponga will be thrown on if the contest is tight and will produce something magic and keep the series alive. That pressure would rattle even the most experienced of players, let alone someone at an age where driving without P plates is usually a massive step.

Despite suggestions that Ponga may be elevated to start on game day, you'd have to think the best fullback of the modern generation in his final interstate series would be the man for the job. I can't see Slater being benched on such a huge occasion.

This leaves Ponga to fill the Michael Morgan utility role.

Despite his ball-playing abilities, Ponga has played the large majority of his NRL at fullback. He debuted in the centres for the Cowboys when called upon back in 2016 but is as natural a fullback as there can be.

This surely limits his positional ability when injected into the contest.

You would think throwing him into the game at hooker would not only limit his attacking ability but would overawe him in terms of defensive work. There is a possibility that McCullough may come off at some stage with Ben Hunt shifting into the nine position. Ponga could play in the halves, but again, that will see him defend in the line and become an immediate target.

Slater has stated he is willing to shift from fullback to allow Ponga to play there. Slater can play in the halves if called upon but Slater is a career fullback. If he shifts it will likely be to the wing but again Holmes and Gagai are specialist backs and not halves.

Moving Hunt or Munster therefore seems unlikely. With Slater moving to the wing either Gagai or Holmes would spend some time on the bench.

Moving Slater out of position at a crucial part of the game and series is one of the biggest calls a coach can ever make. Walters looks sets to make that call to blood Ponga.

The only way I can see that working is if either Slater comes off or is shifted to the wing.

Given Slater's recent struggles with fitness this could very well be smoke screen coverage for a superstar who may not be able to last the 80 minutes at Origin level.

Ponga's inclusion was almost a given and sets up a monster future in the Maroon number one jersey. No one can possibly be critical of the decision.

That said, Slater's is a once in a generation fullback and the premier number one in the competition.

Moving him out of position or bringing him off the field if he's fully fit is one of the biggest calls at this level. There's no hyperbole in that statement.

Ponga will see some game time. You'd have to assume it will come down to the scoreline and timing, but this is a potential series altering inclusion one way or the other.

A hugely interesting subplot in a game that will see ratings record tumble.

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