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'One of a kind': Kalyn Ponga backed by cross-code Wallabies star to push for All Blacks
Former Brisbane Broncos star Karmichael Hunt believes NRL youngster Kalyn Ponga has all the attributes required to flourish in rugby union if he committed to a cross-code switch.
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Plenty of media attention has surrounded Ponga in recent weeks after the Newcastle Knights fullback was reportedly offered a four-year contract extension by his NRL club which included a clause to allow him to pursue his rugby union ambitions in 2023.
The 21-year-old, who has also represented Queensland, the Maori All-Stars and the Australia Nines side, has previously expressed his desire to play for the All Blacks, and could push for a spot in New Zealand’s 2023 World Cup squad if his proposed deal comes to fruition.
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Despite being born in Western Australia and aligning himself with the Kangaroos in rugby league, Ponga is eligible to represent the All Blacks as both of his parents are Kiwi-born while he also spent six years of his childhood living in Palmerston North.
Although former All Blacks and Warriors wing Sir John Kirwan voiced his concerns about Ponga’s potential switch earlier this week, Hunt labelled the Knights’ key man as “a remarkable talent” and that he “would not want to put any limits on him”.
A former All Blacks star has labelled Kalyn Ponga's potential move from the NRL to rugby union as "high risk". https://t.co/B4NFH0bzGP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020
The 33-year-old is well-accustomed to the rigours of moving between codes after having done it multiple times throughout his career.
Hunt burst onto the rugby league scene with the Broncos as a 17-year-old in 2004, claiming an NRL crown with the Brisbane club two years later while also going on to represent Queensland and Australia.
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He then made a six-month move to French rugby union club Biarritz, who he helped reach the 2010 Heineken Cup final, before relocating back to Australia to take up a lucrative three-year deal with the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL.
In 2015, he then came back to rugby union, inking a deal with the Reds in Super Rugby, who he played for until last season before switching to the Waratahs.
The six-test Wallabies midfielder told the Daily Telegraph that Ponga’s background in rugby union would be key to his success if he transitioned back to the XV-man code.
“Kalyn played at Churchie Anglican Church Grammar so he’s got schoolboy experience, he’s not just a running threat, he can play the ball as well,” Hunt said.
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“His game, from a league perspective, he will likely transition from No.1 [fullback] to No.6 [standoff] and be a predominant ballplayer, which if you translate to rugby, if he’s got the ability to play the ball as well as run, you can slot him at fullback with his running, kicking and ball-playing ability, but he can also play in your midfield as well.”
Ponga was a star for Anglican Church Grammar School’s 1st XV in 2013 and 2014, where he played alongside the likes of Reds captain Liam Wright, Waratahs playmaker Mack Mason, Reds loose forward Angus Scott-Young, former Rebels No. 8 Harley Fox and ex-Reds and current Broncos wing Izaia Perese.
Their coach at the time was current Junior Wallabies boss Jason Gilmore.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments