Kalyn Ponga declares his loyalty to Queensland and rugby league amid rugby union raid

Queensland star Kalyn Ponga has put any talk of him switching to rugby union to be, declaring he wants to be a Maroon for the next decade.

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Kalyn Ponga has outlined his dream to be a 10-year Maroon in a blow to rugby union’s hopes of poaching the NRL superstar.

Ponga has been tight-lipped about his future in the NRL following last week’s revelations that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika contacted the Queensland fullback last year to sound out his interest in rugby.

Ponga’s father Andre was born in New Zealand, meaning the Maroons custodian would be eligible for both the Wallabies and All Blacks if he embarked on a cross-code defection.

Ponga is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2021 and former Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer believes the 21-year-old has the potential to be the Maroons’ matchwinner for the next decade.

Ponga has become one of rugby league’s best players. AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

Ponga plays his third Origin game Sunday night in Game Two at Perth’s Optus Stadium and has no plans to walk out on the NRL. He admits the culture of the Queensland team is so special he hopes to live up to Lockyer’s assessment of becoming a 10-year Maroon.

“That would be nice for me to achieve, that would be awesome,” Ponga said.

“I need to keep working hard to keep this jumper. I don’t take it for granted.

“Honestly, this Queensland jumper means everything to me.

“I have never experienced it before, ever. I have never had that sense of belonging in sport.

“After that win the other week (Queensland’s 18-14 win in Game One, I have never experienced that euphoria and mateship in my life.

“The culture of the Queensland team is what I love most. Family means everything to me after what I’ve been through (the passing of his brother Kacey as a toddler) and so the family aspect is huge.

Ponga wants to stay in rugby league. AAP Image/Darren England.

“This Queensland side is not just a footy family, it’s like a real sense of family for me.

“Being in camp before Game One this year ... it really taught me what this team means and what being a Queenslander is all about.”

Ponga played rugby union as a 15-year-old at Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar and was a sensation at fullback in ‘Churchie’s’ First XV team.

The attacking whiz could earn more than $2 million annually if he switched to rugby union, telling a New Zealand television station last year he would not rule out one day chasing an All Blacks jumper.

The crew try to get their heads around the Blues selection policy for Origin II and ask if it’s a version of the Simpsons “Homermobile” plus Latrell Mitchell’s future and Matty goes to the movies.

But, for now, Ponga says there are too many boxes to tick in rugby league, including a premiership at Newcastle and a State of Origin series win.

“I haven’t really done anything in rugby league yet,” he said.

I’m still learning about being professional. I still have heaps of room for improvement.

“It’s 100 per cent my goal to win a premiership with the Knights. That’s why you hammer yourself for four months. No-one goes through pre-season to come last. I always want to win.

“Rugby league has taught me a lot. It has shaped who I am. It has become a part of my life.”