Report: NRL star Kalyn Ponga makes decision on cross-code switch
Promising young NRL star Kalyn Ponga will reportedly remain in rugby league despite persistent speculation about a code-switch over the past two years, according to a report out of Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the 22-year-old fullback is likely to remain on the books of the Newcastle Knights on a four-to-five-year deal worth $1.1 million per season.
Not only would that contract make Ponga one of the five highest earners in rugby league, but it would also nullify any prospect about a mega switch to rugby union in pursuit of an All Blacks jersey.
Reports from earlier this year suggested the Queensland State of Origin representative was looking to include an option in an updated contract that would allow him to take a sabbatical in rugby union with the aim of representing the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup in France.
However, the Herald states that such a clause is now out of the reckoning as Ponga’s desire to win an NRL premiership with the Knights outweighs his desire to represent the All Blacks.
News of Ponga’s long-term stay in rugby league will come as a blow to rugby union followers in New Zealand, who would have been eager to see the Australian Nines dynamo don the black jersey.
Born in Western Australia, Ponga would be eligible for both the Wallabies and All Blacks in the 15-man code as both his parents are from New Zealand.
A two-time NRL Maori All-Stars fullback, Ponga also spent five years living in Palmerston North – where he won the national under-13 golf title – before returning to Australia by settling in Queensland.
The former North Queensland Cowboys youngster spurned the chance to represent the Kiwis in rugby league two years ago, instead pledging his allegiance to Queensland in State of Origin, thus affiliating himself with the Kangaroos.
Nevertheless, Ponga told TVNZ in 2018 that he was eager to represent the All Blacks in the future and hadn’t closed the door on a potential code switch.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1265096867769020416
“Obviously, that [playing for the All Blacks] would be a huge goal [that] if I was to come back to union I’d want to tick,” he said.
“I’m not too sure what my future holds — whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes – but if I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper. It’s the pinnacle.”
That led to then-All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen to voice his appreciation of Ponga’s talents, indicating he would be a firm contender for a place in the New Zealand national squad if a switch in codes ever came to fruition.
“He’s had a super Origin, he’s a Kiwi boy, and he’s just come out and said one day he might want to come and play rugby,” Hansen said at the time.
“If that’s his choice, when he makes that choice, then of course, whoever’s around at that time, would definitely be interested because he’s a talented athlete.”
It seems, though, union fans will have a few more years to wait as Ponga eyes Newcastle’s first NRL title since 2001.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
1 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
2 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
5 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
3 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
2 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
7 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
3 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
2 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
2 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
5 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
5 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
5 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
16 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
16 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
16 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
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