Origin I looked over after 20 minutes. The Ponga send-off changed everything

May 27, 2026 — 9:08pm

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The sight of Jai Arrow walking off the Queensland team bus in a Maroons blazer on Wednesday night was enough to send shivers down the spine of Blues fans.

It was a powerful moment, akin to last year when Cameron Munster declared he would play in the Origin decider in Sydney just three days after the death of his father, Steven. We all know how that movie ended: a stunning 24-12 Queensland victory fuelled by a playmaker with the ball on a string and a greater purpose driving him.

Arrow’s battle with motor neurone disease has rocked the rugby league world, and the Maroons were able to draw on a hefty dose of old-fashioned Queensland spirit in a match that looked over after 20 minutes.

Queensland displayed all the traits Arrow will need in his battle – courage, determination and resilience – as they carved open a shaky Blues outfit whose ball handling was diabolical.

That was until Kalyn Ponga was sent off and all hell broke loose, as James Tedesco leapt high in the air in the........

© WA Today