NRL set to investigate after Kalyn Ponga pulls out of Kangaroos selection ahead of Pacific Championship

The NRL is set to to take a deeper look at Kalyn Ponga’s shock Kangaroos withdrawal, amid concerns over the ramifications his snub could have on Test football.

Kalyn Ponga has stunned Mal Meninga after he pulled out of Kangaroos selection. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Kalyn Ponga’s decision to stand down from international rugby league to focus on Newcastle is set to face further scrutiny from rugby league powerbrokers amid concerns over the ramifications his shock withdrawal could have for Test football.

Ponga released a statement via the Knights on Tuesday revealing he had ruled himself out of contention for the upcoming Pacific Championships in what was a sledgehammer - and unexpected - blow to Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

The Knights superstar was believed to be on the brink of a maiden Test jersey and his decision caught Meninga and national selectors off guard - he had been selected in a preliminary squad for the Tests against Samoa and New Zealand following a meeting of ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, Meninga and selectors late last week.

Kalyn Ponga has stunned Mal Meninga after he pulled out of Kangaroos selection. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

It is understood the Knights were contacted on Tuesday morning about Ponga’s selection in that squad, prompting the Knights No.1 and his father Andre to draft a statement ruling him out of the upcoming internationals to focus on starting next year with a bang.

“I want to win a comp, for me anything short of that, isn’t success,” Ponga said.

“My focus has never shifted from wanting to win a premiership with the Knights, that has been my goal since I joined the club in 2018 and continues to be my focus.

“When I’m done, I want to look back at my career with a positive reflection, including people saying he was a great signing and represented our community to the best of his ability.

“For now, I don’t feel like I have earned that yet, that’s why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals.”

Ponga adopted a similar stance last year when he withdrew from Origin calculations. However, on that occasion he was making his comeback from a long stint on the sidelines because of concussion and it was accepted as a legitimate explanation.

On this occasion, officials are expected to take a deeper look at his reasoning given his contract makes it clear that a player must make himself available for representative football.

The club licensing agreements also make it clear that the club must make their players available for representative selection. Those clauses are generally overlooked where there is a legitimate reason for a player withdrawing from representative football such as injury or retirement after long service for state or country.

The NRL are expected to take a closer look at Ponga’s reasoning, given all players have to make themselves available for representitive football. Pictrue: Getty Images

However, Ponga meets neither criteria and officials are set to take a closer look at his case amid fears that it may set an unwanted precedent for the code at a time when Meninga, V’Landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo are intent on growing the game at the international level.

The decision is even more galling for Meninga given the Kangaroos were belted by New Zealand last year and he is expected to be stripped of a handful of players due to injury.

The likes of Penrith captain Nathan Cleary and Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster are likely to undergo surgery once their club commitments are over while North Queensland centre Valentine Holmes has already been ruled out with a broken leg.

The one position where Meninga has options is at fullback, although Ponga was among his priority choices. His decision to stand aside heightens the chances of Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco retaining his No.1 jersey, although Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards likely has his nose in front heading into this weekend’s preliminary finals.