Kalyn Ponga keen to leverage club form into a Kangaroos jersey
Kalyn Ponga is arguably the best player in the NRL right now, and the star fullback wants to ride his hot hand to an October double, writes BRENT READ.
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Kalyn Ponga is eyeing off an October double. As Newcastle close in on a place in the top eight, Ponga is daring to dream of a maiden premiership with the Knights. Beyond that, a Test jersey looms if he can hold his form and Newcastle go deep into the finals.
It’s been some turnaround for the Knights captain. A few months ago, as he battled a series of head knocks, he sat down with his parents and the three of them contemplated a life without rugby league.
It was a confronting conversation and Ponga concedes the idea of retirement was in his head. Those thoughts are now in the distant past as he leads the Knights to the promised land, playing the sort of rugby league that has some suggesting he is in the conversation as the game’s best player.
Ponga has only one thought on his mind at the moment - winning a title with the Knights. Off the back of seven straight wins, they are now fifth on the line of betting and have the chance to knock off fellow contender Cronulla on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium to lock up a place in the finals.
“We’re still not cemented in the eight - we still need to win the next two,” Ponga said.
“Once you win those next two, I have played in the finals a couple of times now and once you are in there, you can do anything.
“Obviously the focus is to get in and carry the belief we have now into the finals, and just try to give it a big shake.”
PONGA’S PREMIERSHIP DREAM
Ponga admits he has closed his eyes and imagined what it would mean to win a premiership with the Knights. He has seen first hand the passion of Newcastle supporters and would love nothing then to reward their loyalty.
“I do definitely think about it,” Ponga said.
“I have seen the parade when they are driving down Hunter Street and there are thousands of people. I have definitely thought about that.
“That’s the goal, it is the dream. I have had that dream for a number of years now. That is why I am here.
“I think one of the strengths now is being present. But there would be no better feeling than winning a comp here, especially with this city and this town and how much it means to them.”
What a season Kalyn Ponga is having! 😠pic.twitter.com/EOXBGjPC29
— NRL (@NRL) August 23, 2023
With Ponga in this sort of form, anything is possible. Since the decision was made to scrap the move to five-eighth and return to the No.1 jersey, Ponga has been an irresistible force for the Knights.
Over their seven game winning streak, he has scored three tries, made 12 line breaks and contributed 11 try assists. He has torn opposition to shreds, putting the Knights in the finals firing line.
“We’re a better team definitely from where we were at the beginning of the year,” Ponga said.
“We had a system change defensively. Attack, we were still trying to find out identity with the new spine and new players.
“It clicked for a lot of players over the last seven weeks. A lot of boys are playing awesome footy. If you look at our squad, we definitely have the squad to do something this year.
“The coaching staff haven’t changed what we have done, we have stuck to it and that is the reason why as well.”
SLIDING DOORS
It was only two months ago that the Knights were apparently in crisis. The whispers were that coach Adam O’Brien was about to be sacked and the club was on the verge of full-blown crisis. Ponga and O’Brien are close. One of the joys of the past seven weeks has been seeing the pressure lift off O’Brien’s shoulders
“It is crazy, definitely,” Ponga said.
“It wasn’t much for it to be a lot different. If we don’t go on this run - it is the world we live in, a lot of things can change, the environment you are in is different, the town is different.
“We’re getting the results now which marries up to the hard work everyone is putting in. Not much has changed.”
What has changed is the results. In rugby league, that’s usually all that matters. From being in a wooden spoon dogfight, they are now finals contenders and arguably the form team in the competition.
Ponga has been largely responsible, although he has had plenty of support. The Knights are zinging and their attack has been revitalised under O’Brien and assistant coach Blake Green.
The concussion dramas are a thing of the past, his confidence is back and he has made the most of his return to fullback.
“Now I feel pretty strong,” he said.
“I don’t know how to explain it - it is hard to explain. In terms of my head knocks and concussions, I do feel quite strong.
“It is hard to explain the feeling. Last year toward the back end I was getting knocks quite frequently and I could feel the effects of them.
“Now I feel pretty good.”
TEST JERSEY
There is an extra carrot waiting for Ponga at the end of the season. Australia has been locked in for a Tri-Nations tournament and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is keeping a close eye on the Knights captain.
James Tedesco will be the Australian fullback and captain but Ponga’s versatility - he can play in the halves and potentially the centres - makes him an attractive prospect for Meninga.
“He has had a great two months back in that fullback spot,” Meninga said.
“Kalyn has the most influence on their team I reckon. The Knights have been really good and Kalyn has been excellent.
“When you talk about versatility, we know and it has been proven that he can play 14, he can play 9, he can play in the halves and he can probably play centre.
“It’s a nice position to be in.”
Ponga has pulled on the green and gold jersey in the past - in 2019, he was a member of the Australian 9s side.
Last year, he withdrew from contention for the World Cup as he dealt with concussion. His priority at the moment is the Knights but at some point, he would love to play a Test for his country.
“I played in that 9s tournament - it does count as wearing that jersey,” Ponga said.
“For sure, it is a goal. Origin is a goal and to play for Australia is a goal as well. I remember saying to Mal that I probably wasn’t ready (last year).
“But I remember saying to him - this is probably having that confidence in myself - that I believe if I work hard enough, I will get there.
“So if it is not this year, then hopefully I give myself the opportunity in years to come.”
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