Wayne Bennett has urged Kalyn Ponga to withdraw from Origin this year if he's not fully fit as the Maroons coach still awaits an answer from the Knights star.
Ponga's inclusion for Queensland remains doubtful after it was revealed the incumbent fullback requires surgery for a torn labrum which he aggravated in Newcastle's season-ending finals loss to South Sydney.
If he plays through the pain and delays surgery to play in this year's post-season Origin series, Ponga risks missing the start of the Knights 2021 NRL campaign, while the potential of further damage could have worse implications.
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After being named in the initial 15-man squad, Ponga was due to sit down with Knights medical staff this week to make the crucial surgery call, however Bennett revealed on Friday he's yet to be informed of the 22-year-old's availability.
"We thought we'd know something yesterday afternoon but I haven't received a message. I don't know what's going on with Kalyn," Bennett said following the Rabbitohs' captain's run ahead of Saturday night's semi-final against the Eels.
In a backline that's been decimated by injury - with Michael Morgan, Corey Oates, Kyle Feldt and Moses Mbye all pulling out with injury - Ponga's withdrawal would prove an inconceivable blow to the Maroons chances of stopping an NSW three-peat.
But in the surest sign yet that Ponga won't feature for Queensland this year, Bennett said he doesn't want players who aren't fully fit pulling on the jumper.
"There won't be any carry on from me about those things - they're all decision for players and clubs," the newly-appointed Maroons coach said.
"I know how much players do want to play Origin but if they're not fit to play I don't want them playing. The club doesn't have to tell me not to play them and the player doesn't have to tell me.
"Invariably they don't play well because they don't have confidence, it doesn't work."
Ponga was among the 15 players named in the Maroons' initial squad on Tuesday in what came as a shocking development after reports he was bound for shoulder surgery.
The fact he's still mulling over the decision to play or not has been questioned, with former NSW Blues coach Phil Gould suggesting Ponga should already be under anesthetic.
"There’s no doubt in my mind if I’m running the Newcastle Knights Kalyn Ponga is in hospital today, he’s having that surgery today,” Gould told Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“And that’s without knowing the full extent of the injury, but if it’s a labrum tear injury … it can be a five-or-six-month recovery.
“Our season’s finished late as it is so if he was to have the surgery now he’s only just getting back for the start of the season.
“If we leave it another seven weeks he might be back round six, seven or eight next year and that’s not good for Newcastle, that’s not good for anybody.”
Ponga's likely withdrawal adds to what's already been a turbulent lead-up to this year's series, with Kevin Walters preparing to hand over the Queensland coaching duties to Bennett after accepting the Broncos job.
Should Ponga pull the pin it would likely see boom Titans fullback AJ Brimson handed his Origin debut after he was named in Bennett's squad alongside teammates Mo Fotuaika, Jai Arrow and Philip Sami.
