Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga ruled out for two weeks with an adductor strain

The Knights will have to play on without star fullback Kalyn Ponga for at least a fortnight after he suffered an adductor strain.

Newcastle star fullback Kalyn Ponga has been ruled out for at least two weeks after suffering an abductor strain in a major blow to the Knights. Picture: AAP Image/Steve Christon.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien has urged rising star Tex Hoy to seize the opportunity in the No.1 jumper, with marquee fullback Kalyn Ponga expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks after suffering an adductor strain.

In a major blow to the Knights, Ponga won’t play in Friday’s Magic Round clash against the Wests Tigers, and is expected to sit out another week.

The Queensland Origin representative suffered the injury in last Saturday’s comeback win over the Canberra Raiders in Wagga, and despite pulling up fine after the game, scans discovered a bigger problem.

Players dropping like flies for Magic Round, Kalyn Ponga ruled out for at least 2 weeks with an adductor injury (via @BarryToohey). Adductor = groin injury, not a high reinjury rate but know for lingering symptoms. Minor strain usually quick return but performance implications

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 12, 2021

Speaking to the media on Thursday, O’Brien confirmed Ponga had sustained a minor groin tear and he didn’t want to risk the injury becoming worse.

He said the star No.1 will travel to Sunshine Coast on Sunday and will be reassesed in the lead-up to next Thursday’s clash against the Cowboys in Townsville.

“At this stage it is a minor tear in his groin, but when I say minor, I’m not willing to push him,” O’Brien said.

“I don’t want it to turn into anything more sinister.

“We are on the back of a few short turnarounds and going into a few more, so it is just the right thing to do for Kalyn and the club at the moment.

“The game against the Raiders I thought he was outstanding, along with the rest of our spine, so that is the disappointing part.”

Hoy will replace Ponga at fullback for Newcastle’s clash against the Tigers, and O’Brien and full faith in the 21-year-old, who has already played four games in the No.1 jumper for the Knights this season.

“The positive is Tex has trained with the spine the whole week and he has played a bit of football with us now,” he said.

“He understands his role and the type of game we want to play, and I’ve got full confidence in him.

“Obvioulsy, we’ve got Origin around the corner, which I’d imagine KP is a certainity for, so it is a good opportunity (for Tex) and we get a bit of a head start on that.

“So, we’ll get on with it.”

Regardless, Ponga’s absence is significant given Newcastle’s record is woeful without their gun fullback.

The Knights are aiming to climb back-to-back wins when they take on the Tigers, who defeated them at home in round three.

Originally published as Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga ruled out for two weeks with an adductor strain