Kalyn Ponga suffers sickening KO one minute in against Tigers

Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga has been knocked out just 80 seconds after kick-off in sickening scenes at Leichhardt Oval.

The last thing any NRL fan wants to see. Photo: Fox Sports

Knights five-eighth Kalyn Ponga has been knocked out once again after just 80 seconds in his side’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

The representative star is one of the highest paid and biggest name players in the game but his concussion dramas have once again raise its ugly head.

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Rushing in to tackle Tigers second-rower Asu Kepaoa, Ponga fell heavily from the tackle, and appeared to be knocked out.

“Oh no, Ponga’s been knocked out,” Andrew Voss said in commentary. “Kepaoa has run straight into Ponga, this is a sensation. Kalyn Ponga hits the deck and it’s just about lights out. My goodness.”

Ponga eventually got to his haunches but was unsteady even there was quickly ruled out of the remainder of the match.

“He’s got a history of concussions too Kalyn Ponga,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League. “ First and foremost check on his welfare. But in terms of the context of today’s game, that is huge news.”

Voss added it was “staggering” and “dramatic”.

Kalyn Ponga was knocked out. Photo: Fox Sports

On Nine, Knights legend Andrew Johns said his move to the halves was always going to make scenes like this a greater possibility.

“It was always a gamble, putting Kalyn in the frontline defensively, and that was always the worry,” Andrew Johns said.

But there were classy scenes as Ponga walked from the field up the tunnel to the sheds to a round of applause from the Tigers faithful.

🚨 WARNING: Distressing vision. 🚨

Classy from the Tigers fans at Leichhardt, applauding when Kalyn Ponga was fine to walk off the pitch after a nasty head-knock.

🖥️ #NRLTigersKnights | https://t.co/AWYN7l5Oij#9WWOS#NRLpic.twitter.com/CtYydHhlrZ

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) March 12, 2023

I actually worry how long Ponga has left to play. The amount of head injuries he has sustained in such a short period surely cannot be good for his health

— lavender baj (@lavosaurus) March 12, 2023

So horrible to see Kalyn Ponga ruled out for the game with a concussion. Now his 4th concussion in the past 10 months, had his season prematurely ended in 2022 after 3 concussions in 6 weeks. Thoughts with him

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 12, 2023

Ponga missed the final rounds of last season due to copping three concussions in six weeks and the injury will no doubt be another huge concern for the Knights skipper.

It didn’t get any easier for the Knights with hooker Jayden Brailey ruled via a HIA in the 26th minute, meaning the side had to activate 18th man Brodie Jones.

The rule for 2023 has changed on concussions as two players ruled out via head injuries will activate the 18th man, down from three in 2022.

But the Knights hit the scoreboard first, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes.

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga suffers sickening KO one minute in against Tigers