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All Blacks legend issues warning for Kalyn Ponga over code switch following Benji Marshall failure

By Online Editors
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has labelled Kalyn Ponga’s potential move from the NRL to rugby union as “high risk” and warned the youngster that it will take more than one season to find his feet in rugby union.

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The 21-year-old has reportedly been offered a $4.5 million contract by his current side, the Newcastle Knights, to keep him at the club until 2023.

His upgraded contract offer includes a clause to jump to the XV-man code in the final year of his contract to let him chase his childhood dream of representing the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup in France.

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However, Kirwan told the Sydney Morning Herald that Ponga will need more than one season in rugby union if he is intent on making the All Blacks’ World Cup squad in three years’ time.

“I don’t think he could do it in one year,” the 63-test ex-All Blacks star said. “It would be high risk on his part. He could take that risk if he wants, but this All Blacks team has some guys who are pretty big competitors and like to succeed. I think he needs two years. He’s got nothing to lose. A two-year contract and if it doesn’t work out he can go back to league.

“This has nothing to do with money. For guys at this level, what I’ve realised is that they want a different challenge. I believe that’s what Kalyn wants, and if he wants to have a crack then it won’t be about money. He’s got the ability man, for sure. He’s got the ability, he just has to decide which position and I think he’s more a 10 or a 15.”

Kirwan, who switched codes himself when he joined the Auckland Warriors in 1994 after representing the All Blacks for a decade, has experience to back up his theory.

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While coaching the Blues between 2013 and 2015, Kirwan recruited NRL legend Benji Marshall from the Wests Tigers to join the Auckland franchise for the 2014 Super Rugby campaign.

The acquisition of the one-time NRL champion and 28-test Kiwis star proved to be a failure, though, as Marshall only made six appearances before switching back to rugby league to link up with the St George-Illawarra Dragons.

Kirwan suggested there were lessons to be learned from Marshall’s failed code switch for both himself, Ponga and any other potential code-hoppers.

(Photo by Jason Oxenham/Getty Images)
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“Benji just needed more time in the game and, sadly, I didn’t have that time in the game,” Kirwan told the Herald.

“He would have been fine had he come over earlier and I was able to give him more time in the saddle. But we started losing and then all of a sudden you find yourself under pressure and I had no time to give him the attention and time he needed.

“In the end it was a mutual decision that ‘This is not working out’. I was really about it to be honest, because I felt the situation let him down.”

Given his age and background, though, Kirwan said he believed that Ponga has two key factors working in his favour which Marshall didn’t have.

“It’s better do it when you’re younger, and you’ve got a background in the sport, which Kalyn ticks both boxes. Guys who have played rugby at school, guys like Solomone Kata, who is now on the wing for the Brumbies … it’s going to be a lot easier. I’m pretty sure if Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck] wanted to come over it would only take him a couple of games and he’d be all good.”

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Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
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Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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