Why whiz kid Kalyn Ponga must shun NRL rivals for North Queensland
HALF of the NRL is ready to pursue teenage sensation Kalyn Ponga but there’s one GIANT reason why he should stay in North Queensland.
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HALF of the NRL is ready to pursue teenage sensation Kalyn Ponga but according to his North Queensland teammate and skipper Matt Scott, there’s only one club he needs to consider.
Foxsports.com.au can reveal the Cowboys are set to submit a revised offer which will see the deal he rejected five months ago substantially upgraded.
With rival codes, rugby and AFL to also contend with, Ponga must decide whether to stay in the NRL and if he does, whether he’ll remain in Townsville.
Canterbury, St George Illawarra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Parramatta and the Gold Coast are all reportedly showing interest.
Cowboys co-captain likens the hysteria around the Ponga decision to that of the hype surrounding a young Jason Taumalolo.
When the lock first burst onto the scene he was likened to Sonny Bill Williams but has since carved out his own identity and become a Dally M Medal winner.
Ponga has been compared to his superstar teammate Johnathan Thurston.
Scott saw first-hand how coach Paul Green managed Taumalolo and believes he can do the same for Ponga.
“He’s really good at being honest with players,” Scott told foxsports.com.au of the coach.
“It’s a bit of management there and managing expectations.
“Greeny was probably the key factor for Jase to get him to playing good consistent footy … it did wonders for him to bide his time in reserve grade and mature as a player. You have to do that sometimes and be patient.
“Greeny will be good for KP and if he decides to stay at the club, it’ll be a great decision in the long run. We won’t have to wait too long to see him playing regular first grade.”
At 18, Ponga has become one of the most sought after and talked about teens in the game’s history.
The buzz surrounding the fullback is remarkable with league fans across the country well aware of the prodigy long before he made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in the second week of the finals.
While Ponga made a strong debut on the left wing and backed it up with another solid effort the following week, the young gun is no guarantee to start 2017 in the NRL side.
Scott admits that Ponga is a special talent but needs to be transitioned into regular first grade by spending some time in the Intrust Super Cup.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Scott said of the hype around Ponga.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a kid talked about this much in a long time. There’s so much buzz about eligibility and he’s played two games. It’s a testament to his skill and the talent he’s displayed already.
“It wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to spend a bit more time, definitely not at 20s, he needs to play something above that.
“A bit of time in the Q Cup would be great for him. You just have to look at someone like Jase, who the club managed really well through his transition into 20s, Queensland Cup and first grade.
“They did a great job with his development and we’ve all seen the results of that this year. As much as he’s very talented, he’s got a pretty level head on his shoulders.
“I’m sure he’s not expecting massive things straight away, although he’s probably capable of it. As long as he’s patient, good things are going to come his way.”
It’s not uncommon for experienced players to try and influence the decisions of the younger crop but Scott said when it comes to Ponga’s future, he’s kept out of it.
He did however admit to speaking to the teen about his Test eligibility.
Ponga was born in Australia but raised in New Zealand by his Kiwi parents which means he’s eligible for both nations.
His parents Adine and Andre Ponga want him to play for New Zealand but he’s yet to make a call on who he’ll align himself with.
But that hasn’t stopped Scott and Thurston from getting in his ear.
“I’ve given him a couple of little jibes about it, good natured,” Scott said.
“Nothing serious. I don’t think it’s my place to butt in and try and influence him too much. He’s got to listen to himself and his feelings.
“Sometimes we see guys influenced too much from outside in regards to these sort of decisions. It’s up to him and his family. He’ll make the right decisions.”
This writer is on Twitter @Nath_Ryan
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Originally published as Why whiz kid Kalyn Ponga must shun NRL rivals for North Queensland
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