Kalyn Ponga’s Test eligibility war takes shock twist as Cowboys sensation ruled out of Junior Test

THE eligibility war surrounding one of NRL’s hottest young talents has taken another twist after Kalyn Ponga ruled himself out of this weekend’s Junior Test.

THE eligibility war surrounding one of rugby league’s hottest young talents has taken another twist after Cowboys sensation Kalyn Ponga ruled himself out of this weekend’s Junior Test.

The 18-year-old is considered the best player in his age bracket in the country and has Australia and Queensland vying against New Zealand for his allegiance.

Wayne Bennett turned up the heat on Ponga earlier this year after the fullback attended an under-20s Queensland Emerging Origin camp.

At the time, Bennett said Ponga must have pledged his allegiance to Queensland and Australia otherwise he wouldn’t have attended the development camp.

But that isn’t the case, with the under-20s star still mulling over his future.

The Junior Kiwis and Junior Kangaroos both intended to pick Ponga for Saturday’s Test match at Parramatta before they were informed he would not be playing.

Cowboys under-20s coach Aaron Payne said Ponga wanted more time to decide who he would represent.

“I haven’t spoken to him about it because there have been a lot of people wanting to know what’s going on,” Payne said.

“At the end of the day, it’s completely his decision. I can understand why it’s a tough decision for him.

“He’s got ties to Australia and New Zealand and it’s a decision he’s going to have to make.”

Kalyn Ponga has starred for the Cowboys Holden Cup team this year. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Ponga was born in Australia before moving to New Zealand as a seven-year-old for seven years.

His New Zealand-born father Andre is one of 13 siblings, meaning Kalyn has strong ties to New Zealand.

The lure of playing State of Origin for Queensland, where he could pocket $30,000-a-game, is enticing but there is also the family factor.

Payne said Ponga was coping with the pressure well and had played a key role in leading the Cowboys to third spot in the under-20s competition.

Kalyn Ponga is considered the best player of his age in Australia.

“He’s definitely a level-headed kid,” Payne said.

“The attention he gets would affect some kids but I don’t think it’s affected him too much.”

Ponga told The Courier-Mail in February he had turned to Johnathan Thurston for advice after the Cowboys co-captain rejected advances from New Zealand to play for Australia.

“Where the opportunity lies to play is what will matter and my family supports me no matter what I do,” he said.

“My family is all from there. My dad’s one of 13 and has a big family. I have a lot of cousins back there.

“Family’s a big thing for me. I’ve got some big decisions to make.’’