Former NSW Origin player Wade Graham has been involved in a fiery exchange with footy journalist Brent Read over Kalyn Ponga’s hugely divisive send-off in game one of this year’s series.
The argument between the pair took place after NSW completed the biggest comeback in State of Origin history after recovering from being down 20-0.
Despite the Blues receiving their justified praise for their 22–20 win, the victory has been marred by referee Ashley Klein’s decision to send Ponga off.
Many fans from north of the border have slammed the decision, with Queenslander Read echoing the belief that Ponga’s hit on Tolu Koula didn’t warrant him being marched for the rest of the game.
He got into a blistering argument over the incident with Graham live on Triple M after the match.
‘You can’t escape the fact that game was won because Kalyn Ponga got sent off,’ Read told Graham.
Former NSW player Wade Graham (pictured left with his family) has been involved in a heated debate with footy journalist Brent Read
The pair debated whether Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga (pictured) should have been sent off for his hit on NSW winger Tolu Koula
Ponga (pictured making contact with Koula) left the Manly Sea Eagles winger dazed after the impact
The six-time Blues player wasn’t about to take that comment lying down, though.
‘But he deserved to be sent off,’ Graham replied.
‘OK, whether or not he deserved it, Wade, that’s what changed the game,’ Read continued.
Graham then pointed to the similarity between Ponga’s strike on the Sea Eagles centre and former NRL star Joseph Suaali’i’s hit on Reece Walsh, which saw him sent off in game one of the 2024 series.
‘Suaali’i got sent off two years ago,’ the 35-year-old said.
But Read claimed the two incidents couldn’t be compared.
‘You cannot compare those two. Suaali’i was horizontal when he hit Reece Walsh,’ he said.
After the pair talked loudly over the top of each other, Graham told Read to cool it as tensions appeared to escalate.
Veteran journalist Brent Read (pictured) has slammed the referee’s decision to order Ponga off the turf at Accor Stadium
Former NRL player Aaron Woods (pictured) has also had a heated debate with ‘Ready’ on Triple M radio
NSW claimed victory in game one of the 2026 series after a miracle try from James Tedesco (pictured left celebrating)
‘It’s a send-off, mate… calm down, buddy,’ Graham said.
Read continued to blast the decision in a debate with 2014 Origin series winner and Triple M star Aaron Woods.
‘Queensland would have won that game last night (had Ponga not been sent off),’ Read said on Thursday morning.
After the pair continued their back-and-forth, Woods tried to strip the situation down to the bare basics.
‘As Billy Slater said, it is what it is, brother – you didn’t win, mate,’ the former Blue told Read.
