NRL 2024: Kalyn Ponga assures Knights he wants to stay, Brandon Smith fumes over Nicho Hynes Origin rumours | Sport Confidential
After days of headlines regarding the status of his multi-million dollar contract, there is now clarity over Kalyn Ponga and his future at the Knights. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga has assured club officials that he has no desire to leave the Knights following days of headlines about the status of his multi-million dollar contract.
Sport Con understands that Ponga, who has a deal with the Knights until the end of 2027, insisted that was happy at the Knights and determined to help the club secure a premiership.
Ponga’s future has been under the microscope in recent days amid revelations that his father Andre had held talks with the NRL over his contract.
What initially began as a discussion about ratchet clauses in the deal turned into suggestions that he was owed money from a third-party deal that was negotiated at arm’s length to the club.
The NRL’s only concern was providing Andre Ponga with clarity over the ratchet clause, whereby a players’ salary moves in line with increase or decreases in the salary cap.
It is understood an official explanation of the clauses and their percentages in coming years was sent to accredited NRL agents late last year.
Andre Ponga is not an accredited agent but is allowed to act for his son because he is a family member. It is believed he did not receive the email.
Hence, his concern that his son may have been owed money. However, the matter was cleared by the NRL and it is understood concerns have also been allayed over the alleged third party deal that became an issue.
The concern for Knights fans was the speculation that the drama may have been an indication that Ponga was unhappy and looking for a move to another club.
Sport Con understands that is far from the case and Ponga is more driven than ever to play a role in leading Newcastle to a premiership.
The Dally M medal winner is currently sidelined with a foot injury but is due to return in a month or so to help the club’s run into the finals.
SMITH FUMES OVER HYNES’ ORIGIN RUMOURS
Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith has lashed out at suggestions his former teammate Nicho Hynes could be overlooked when the NSW side is named for the opening game of the State of Origin series in just over a week.
Hynes, in the best form of his career as part of the Cronulla side that is leading the premiership, is locked in a battle to play in Origin I with the likes of Mitchell Moses, Jarome Luai and Matt Burton.
Moses has been sidelined for two months but there have been suggestions he could be rushed straight into the Blues squad should he overcome a foot problem.
Smith is seething at claims that Hynes may be squeezed out.
“Nicho has been one of the best in the comp for the last three years, he has won a Dally M, he is playing unreal footy at the moment,” Smith told The Bye Round podcast.
“I don’t understand why they are off him. He has played like 10 minutes in an Origin … at centre. I think he will relish the big game.
“He is a winner. His side is on top of the table. It just pisses me off a little bit.”
Smith insists that Hynes should be the Blues No.7 with Nathan Cleary out of action.
“I think he is the best halfback there is on offer,” Smith said.
“Obviously Cleary is the No.1 halfback in the comp but he is out for eight weeks. It just annoys the shit out of me.”
NRL INTRODUCES 40/20 CHANGE FOR MAGIC ROUND
Magic Round will look a little different this year with the NRL introducing mini-corner-posts for matches this week in Brisbane to help identify 40/20 attempts.
They will be smaller than the usual in-goal corner posts and will sit just on the outside of the field, meaning players will not come into contact with them during the run of play.
While they will be introduced during the first Magic Round match between Canberra and Canterbury on Friday, they will remain in replace for the rest of the NRL and NRLW seasons.
To help launch the new concept the NRL have dubbed the posts as Magic Markers but are calling on fans to come up with a better name for the rest of the season.
The NRL changed the in-goal corner post rule during the course of the 2010 season which allowed players to touch the post but still be deemed to be inside the field of play.
The reason for the introduction of the mini-corner posts is two fold; firstly to help fans, players and officials identify successful 40/20 kicks but there is a charity element too.
Westpac will donate $1000 to every successful 40/20 to the Gotcha4Life Foundation during the course of Magic Round.
They will also be on display during Thursday night’s women’s Origin who attempt 40/30.
At halftime of matches each day during Magic Round a retired NRL great Brad Fittler (Friday), Johnathan Thurston (Saturday) and Cameron Smith (Sunday) – will attempt to kick a 40/20 for $5000. If successful Westpac will donate $2500 to Gotcha4Life and $2500 to a junior club. If the kick is unsuccessful there will be a donation of $1000 to Gotcha4Life and the participating junior club.
DOLPHINS FACE FIGHT TO KEEP RECRUITMENT GURU
The Dolphins are ready to bid adieu to SuperCoach Wayne Bennett at the end of the season and they now have a fight on their hands to keep the man who pieced together their roster - recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan, one of the sharpest eyes in the business, is off contract at the end of the season at the Dolphins and in the sights of several clubs including St George Illawarra.
It is understood talks are well advanced and O’Sullivan has a decision to make as he weighs up whether to return to the Dragons - he played alongside St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan in the juniors, coached their SG Ball side and recruited for the club.
If O’Sullivan opts to leave, it will be a massive blow to the Dolphins given he was hand-picked to oversee the build of the side for their introduction to the premiership.
They surprised many by finishing their inaugural season in 13th place, having spent the first half of the year in the top eight. They have been even better in 2024 - heading into Magic Round they reside in fourth spot even though they have missed star recruits Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler for large chunks of the year.
With Bennett leaving, the last thing the Dolphins can afford is to lose another experienced set of eyes. Yet that is exactly what they are facing as O’Sullivan mulls over offers from rival clubs.
COULD VAR DEBATE KILL THE BUNKER?
The English Premier League will hold a vote next month to scrap instant replay in a move that could have ramifications for sports across the globe.
Premier League club Wolves has put forward a motion to end the use of VAR technology, claiming after five seasons of video replay it is time to have a “constructive and critical debate on its future”.
The NRL has been no stranger to bunker controversies, although it is understood there are no immediate plans to alter the existing system.
However, should the Premier League clubs vote to scrap VAR, it could heap pressure on sports around the world to reconsider their use of technology
The issues in the Premier League mirror the complaints by NRL fans. As part of their resolution, Wolves said VAR had:
* impacted on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football special;
* led to frustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy checks and poor communication;
* resulted in an overreach of the original purpose to correct clear and obvious mistakes;
diminished the accountability of on-field officials; and
* led to an erosion of trust and reputation.
Sound familiar? Many NRL fans feel the same way about the expanding use of instant replay in rugby league. The outcome in the Premier League will be watched closely across the globe.
Stay tuned.
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FLASHBACK
Kurt Gidley made back page news on this day 15 years. The Knights fullback starred as Newcastle smashed the Roosters 38-6. Gidley’s performance booked himself not only the NSW No.1 jersey but also the captaincy of the Blues.
DOLPHINS MOVE TO LOCK DOWN STAR LONG TERM
The Dolphins will meet with star hooker Jeremy Marshall-King this weekend to discuss a long-term deal with the Kiwi rake eyeing a three year contract extension.
Tentative talks have indicated the Dolphins would be keen to give him two more seasons on top of his current deal which ends at the end of next season. However, it is understood that Marshall-King, 28, wants a longer term contract.
There have been suggestions that Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett will be keen to have Marshall-King join him at South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs have Damien Cook contracted until the end of next season. Cook and Marshall-King have the same agent.
BULLDOGS STAR’S INJURY SETBACK
Canterbury prop Ryan Sutton has suffered another setback – this time with a hip injury which could sideline him for up to two months.
Sutton was on track to make his return from a long-term knee injury. But Sport Confidential has learnt that the middle forward sustained an injury on the training paddock which now means he won’t play for about eight weeks.
Sutton, 28, has played just 13 games for the Bulldogs since arriving last season from Canberra. He still has another 12 months left on his contract.
LOMAX NOT LOOKING TOO FAR AHEAD
Zac Lomax says he will be “more than comfortable” to talk about next season when the time comes that he is a Parramatta player.
Until then he wants to focus on finishing his stint at St George Illawarra on a high with the hope of earning a debut Origin jersey.
Lomax has tried to keep a low profile since much publicised impending exit from the Dragons after signing a four year deal to join Parramatta next year.
“I feel it would be a little bit disrespectful on my behalf to be talking about what’s going to happen next year,” Lomax said. “My focus for me and my teammates at the moment is giving my best for the Dragons, for the club itself and my teammates
“I’m more than comfortable to answer next year’s questions next year. I’m stoked my future is now sorted. For the meantime, we’re five and five coming into a bye and I feel like we’re sitting in a good position at the moment. Personally, I feel I’m playing football my teammates are happy with and the club’s happy with and I’m happy.
“I’m more than happy with everything away from footy as well. I’ve got the best family in the world, my family come down all the time. I’m super, super grateful that my support network is unreal. I’ve got the best friends in the world, I love my teammates to bits and they know that. I always pride myself on being a good person first, and as I said, I’m grateful that I get to play rugby league because it’s something I love.”
Lomax played down suggestions that the reason for the shift was positional-base. He said “my teammates know that I’m a guy that will do what’s best for the team.”
Lomax is in NSW contention as he battles for a wing spot alongside Josh Addo-Carr and Joseph Sua’ali’i to partner Brian To’o for the Blues.
Lomax said NSW coach Michael Maguire had reached out to him.
“Madge has had a couple of words with me and he just wants me to keep my head down and just compete,” Lomax said
FIFITA’S ROOSTERS SNUB
By lunchtime on Thursday the Roosters were yet to hear from David Fifita. Whether that changes or not who knows, but one thing for sure, the Roosters are over talking about him.
PLENTY ON HIS PLATE
Jai Opetaia has plenty on his plate as he prepares to fight a rematch against Mairis Briedis in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Opetaia not only has a world title fight to be concerned with, but he is also about to become a father for the first time with his fiancé Kanesha Murray.
Murray is due to give birth on July 2, only a matter of weeks after Opetaia attempts to reclaim his world title against Breidis as the main undercard to Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksander Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Opetaia still holds the The Ring cruiserweight world title but vacated his IBF title last year when he fought Ellis Zorro for a monster pay-day in Riyadh.
His last fight with Breidis was a classic, Opetaia winning a points decision but finishing the fight with a badly broken jaw.
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