Kalyn Ponga of the Maroons is sent from the field by referee Ashley Klein after his tackle on Tolutau Koula of the Blues during game one of the 2026 Men's State of Origin series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia on May 27, 2026. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Kalyn Ponga has avoided suspension for the shoulder charge that resulted in his send-off from the State of Origin series opener and doomed Queensland to a 22-20 loss.
Ponga on Wednesday night became just the seventh player sent off in 45 years of Origin, for collecting New South Wales rookie Tolu Koula high with 22 minutes to go in Sydney.
