Sharks plan to attack Knights’ Kalyn Ponga in round 1 clash
Kalyn Ponga’s move from fullback to the five-eighth for Newcastle has put the Knights star in traffic with some of Cronulla’s biggest hitters — and the Sharks are planning an all-out onslaught.
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Cronulla are planning an all out onslaught on Kalyn Ponga with Sharks halfback Chad Townsend declaring “we want to send traffic at him”.
The Sharks have made no secret of their desire to target Ponga who will defend in the front line having made the move from fullback to the five-eighth role.
That switch puts him in the direct target of some of Cronulla’s biggest players with Townsend’s looking to direct the likes of Andrew Fifita and rookie back-rower Briton Nikora at the Knights superstar during their round one clash on Friday night.
“Whenever they can see him get your bumper bars up and try and run over the top of him,” Townsend will tell his forwards.
“The kid is a freak. Everyone knows that. Now he is one of the most marked men in the NRL. He has earnt that with some of his performances during the year.
“We will be prepared for him and what he is capable of. We want to send traffic at him. Defending in the line is something he isn’t too used to. I saw him play 60 minutes at Origin in the middle. I know he is a tough kid. We will be doing our best to try target him in that area.
“Being a half you get targeted. You’re one of the smallest blokes on the field. All I try and do is put my body on the line and get in front. Try and make a good tackle. I used to have Luke Lewis to cover my backside.
“We will target him in that area. He has plenty of toughness.”
Back-rower Kurt Capewell lined up on the other side of Ponga during Cronulla’s trial win against the Knights two weeks ago. But Capewell — who has the ability to play on either edge — says attack is the best form of defence.
“If I’m on that side we try and make him do as much defence as we can,” Capewell said. “We want to try and take away from his attacking game. The more work he can do in defence hopefully the less energy he has in attack.
“Kalyn is a good defender. It’s just making the make tackles. The little guys aren’t scared they enjoy the challenge. It takes energy out of them. Hopefully that can tame down his attacking game.”
The Sharks beat Newcastle 30-6 in their final trial earlier this month but Townsend said new coach John Morris and captain Paul Gallen spoke to the side after the match about their impending round one fixture.
“John spoke about his not being complacent after the game,” Townsend said. Bomber (Morris) and Gal (Gallen) were vocal saying because it happened then doesn’t mean it will happen in round one.”