NRL Late Mail: Kalyn Ponga ruled out with knee injury

Newcastle have ruled their skipper Kalyn Ponga out of their clash against the Wests Tigers.

Tariq Sims is set to return (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Wests Tigers.

Coach Adam O’Brien has confirmed that a knee injury Ponga suffered during the opening round win over the Sydney Roosters has not recovered sufficiently for the skipper to take his place in the game.

Ponga was desperate to play given it was the Knights first game back at McDonald Jones Stadium following last year’s relocation to Queensland.

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Kalyn Ponga will miss round two due to a knee injury suffered against the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Ponga will be replaced at fullback by Tex Hoy.

Daniel Saifiti is also out after missing the opening round.

O’Brien said Ponga had been given every chance to try and play but simply wasn’t ready.

“We were really trying to give him every chance,” O’Brien said.

“He pulled up a little bit sore and as the week has gone on we have laid off him and (he had) scans and all that, but it is still too grumbley.”

O’Brien expects Ponga and Saifiti to be right to go next round against Penrith.

KNIGHTS v TIGERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

20. Tex Hoy, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Kurt Mann

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Mitch Barnett, 16. Leo Thompson 17. Jirah Momoisea

Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker, 21. Simi Sasagi

Players cut: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 19. Pasami Saulo, 22. Brayden Musgrove, 23. Dylan Lucas, 24. Daniel Saifiti

Late mail: Huge news for the Knights with Kalyn Ponga ruled out. Tex Hoy will start at fullback in place of Ponga. Daniel Saifiti is the big name lingering on the extended bench for Newcastle but will not play. Coach Adam O’Brien expects Ponga and Saifiti to be right to go next round against Penrith.

Tigers

1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Luke Brooks, 10. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Jake Simpkin, 15. Alex Twal, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 16. Zane Musgrove, 17. Alex Seyfarth, 18. Thomas Mikaele

Reserves: 19. Luke Garner, 20. Starford To’a

Players cut: 8. James Tamou, 21. Tukimihia Simpkins, 22. Jock Madden, 23. Austin Dias, 24. Jacob Liddle

Late mail: Big news for SuperCoach owners with Jackson Hastings set to take over the goalkicking duties from Luke Brooks. Hastings was set to kick from Round 1, but an injury niggle saw him offload the role to start the year. Alex Twal will start in the front row after James Tamou dropped out of the squad. Thomas Mikaele moves onto the bench.

BULLDOGS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 6.15pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs

1. Matt Dufty, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Braiden Burns, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Jack Hetherington, 12. Tevita Pangai Jr, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Max King, 17. Ava Seumanufagai

Reserves: 23. Reece Hoffman, 25. Aaron Schoupp

Players cut: 19. Chris Patolo, 20. Brandon Wakeham, 21. Joe Stimson, 22. Kyle Flanagan, 24. Josh Cook

Late mail: Jeremy Marshall-King, Braidon Burns and Brent Naden all need to pass concussion protocols having failed HIA’s in the win over North Queensland. Chris Patolo also failed to finish the game, but the return of Tevita Pangai Jnr has seen him pushed out of the squad. Aaron Schoupp is a ready made backline replacement if required, while Joshua Cook is the only noted hooker on the extended bench if Marshall-King isn’t declared fit.

Broncos

1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Keenan Palasia, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Pat Carrigan

Bench: 14. Ryan James, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. TC Robati, 17. Billy Walters

Reserves: 18. Brenko Lee, 19. Rhys Kennedy

Players cut: 20. Corey Jensen, 21. Jordan Pereira, 22. Corey Paix, 23. Jamayne Isaako, 24. Tyson Gamble

Late mail: Tesi Niu returns from a hamstring injury at fullback, making up a new-look spine with Adam Reynolds, Albert Kelly and Jake Turpin. While Cory Paix was initially tipped to score the hooking role, he missed the season opener due to COVID protocols. Following the upset win over South Sydney, Kevin Walters will be reluctant to change another piece of his spine, meaning Turpin should retain the spot. Billy Walters will spell Turpin at hooker. The only change to the 17 would be if Patrick Carrigan shifted to prop, Kobe Hetherington to lock and Keenan Palasia to the bench.