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Hilarious twist after Knights star Kalyn Ponga brutally rejected by youngster on live TV

A boy and his mum have explained hilarious scenes in which the youngster rejected Knights star Kalyn Ponga’s offer on live TV.

Kalyn Ponga's headgear offer was brutally declined.
Kalyn Ponga's headgear offer was brutally declined.

The mum of a seven-year-old boy who went viral for brutally snubbing Kalyn Ponga during a pre-season game says the Newcastle Knights star is actually his favourite player.

After Newcastle’s 36-14 pre-season trial loss to Parramatta on the Central Coast on Friday night, youngster Andy Condon was getting ready for a game with his team the Toukley Hawks, when Ponga approached him.

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The Knights playmaker offered him his blue and red headgear, but after holding it for a moment, the boy gave Ponga his headgear back.

The exchange, captured on live TV, went viral on social media — prompting Andy and his mum to explain it was just a misunderstanding and he actually ended up accepting the headgear.

“I only handed it back to him because I thought he still wanted it, but he didn’t,” Andy told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Kalyn Ponga offered his headgear to the youngster. Photo: Twitter.
Kalyn Ponga offered his headgear to the youngster. Photo: Twitter.
But the offer was declined. Photo: Twitter.
But the offer was declined. Photo: Twitter.

“I ended up keeping it. I told him I listened to his podcast. I follow Newcastle and Penrith, but Kalyn is actually my favourite player.”

Andy’s mum Holli explained: “Andy loves his footy, it’s his third year of footy, and he actually loves Kalyn.”

“He reckons he will wear it every week now. He even wanted to wear it tonight during the game, but the headgear is signed now, so he might want to get it framed instead.”

On the field, the Knights were torn apart by Parramatta as the Eels had seven different individual tryscorers to Newcastle’s three.

Ponga is making the move from fullback to five-eighth as the Knights aim to make finals for the first time since 2020.

Originally published as Hilarious twist after Knights star Kalyn Ponga brutally rejected by youngster on live TV

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/hilarious-twist-after-knights-star-kalyn-ponga-brutally-rejected-by-youngster-on-live-tv/news-story/413b576c184e60fa969a9967f2122360