NRL 2023: Grave fears as Kalyn Ponga cops another sickening concussion

There are fears for the immediate future of Kalyn Ponga after the superstar was floored by a sickening head knock just 90 seconds in to the Knights v Tigers clash.

Kalyn Ponga concussed after colliding with Asu Kepaoa. Picture: Getty

In worrying signs for Newcastle Knights captain Kayln Ponga, the star five-eighth was sensationally ruled out of Sunday afternoon’s game with Wests Tigers after sustaining a head knock 90 seconds into the round two match at Leichhardt Oval.

A head clash while trying to tackle Knights backrower Asu Kepaoa saw players from both sides concerned for the prone, concussion-prone star.

In commentary Andrew Voss said it was “lights out for Ponga.”

“He’s got a history of concussions, too, Kayln Ponga,” Cooper Cronk added. “First and foremost check on his health. But in the context of today’s game it’s huge news.”

You could only feel sorry for everyone at the Newcastle Knights after watching the incident.

This was one of those rugby league collisions where no one was at fault, it was just a terrible accident and there is no one in the world you can blame for it.

Kalyn Ponga concussed after colliding with Asu Kepaoa. Picture: Getty

But while everyone in the game would only wish the best for the star playmaker and that Ponga can make a speedy recovery, it is coach Adam O’Brien and his club who now must confront the reality that the Knights’ highest paid and best player has suffered four concussions in the past 10 months.

Furthermore, let’s not forget Ponga’s 2022 season ended after he suffered three concussions in a six week period.

How could it not play on his mind going forward you can only wonder?

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

We all saw last week when Roosters’ five-eighth Luke Keary spoke so intelligently about the whole concussion debate and how seriously he is taking it.

There has been talk for some time that one more knock could see Keary hang up his boots.

But whereas Keary is 31, Ponga is only 24 and contracted until the end of 2027 on a reported $1.4 million a season.

Though like Keary, Ponga has suffered too many concussions in a short space a time that is going to be impossible to ignore this conversation at some stage in the very near future.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Grave fears as Kalyn Ponga cops another sickening concussion