Kalyn Ponga breaks silence on international allegiance bombshell ahead of All-Stars match

Kalyn Ponga has addressed speculation he could snub the Kangaroos to play for the Kiwis in a move that would have huge repercussions.

Kalyn Ponga has put his hand up to be included in the Kangaroos squad moving forward as the Knights superstar addressed rumours he could be considering an international allegiance switch.

Four months ago, Ponga was embroiled in a representative football saga after declaring himself unavailable for Australian selection for the Pacific Championships.

But last week, the Knights fullback declared he would play for New Zealand Maori in the annual All-Stars pre-season match, sparking rumours he may be about to change his international allegiance to New Zealand.

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It came after last year, Ponga was told by the NRL that he had to make himself available for Australian selection after he declared he wanted to prioritise his club football with the Knights.

But after the NRL threatened sanctions if he didn’t change his mind, he backflipped on his decision.

However, Australian coach Mal Meninga snubbed him from the Kangaroos’ Pacific Championship squad anyway, drawing an end to the bizarre ordeal.

Kalyn Ponga has put his hand up for Kangaroos selection. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Since then, Ponga has declared he intends to play for New Zealand Maori in the annual All-Stars match, citing his desire to represent his family and reconnect with his culture.

 “I am keen to get in there and play. The biggest thing for me is reconnecting with my culture. My dad is one of 11,” Ponga told Code Sports.

“I have cousins everywhere, so for them to see a Ponga representing a Maori jersey is special. I haven’t been a part of this camp or this week for four years, through injuries mostly, and just being not available to play throughout the pre-season, but I feel I’ve had a good pre-season.

“My body feels good. I’ve ticked every box. I feel like I want to connect with my country and be around what feels like family.”

Kalyn Ponga was snubbed by Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos’ Pacific Championships squad. Image: Getty

Ponga’s latest comments come after an interview with TVNZ in 2017 where he made it known it was his family’s desire to see him represent New Zealand and the fullback admitted to being torn about which nation to pledge his alegience to.

“It’s (New Zealand roots) a very important part of my heritage. It’s who I am. It’s the values and morals embedded in me through my uncles and my Dad,” Ponga said in the interview.

“There’s been a cloud over my head as to what I’m doing with my allegiance.”

The star fullback was born in Western Australia before being raised in Palmerston North in New Zealand.

He then moved to Mackay, Queensland, as a teen, where he began his rugby league career.

In 2018, he declared his allegiance to Queensland and Australia and made his Australian Schoolboys and the Junior Kangaroos debut the same year.

And while the Knights fullback hasn’t categorically ruled out switching his allegiance to New Zealand, Ponga said he would make himself available for Australian selection this year.

“With my actions, I didn’t mean any malice in it. Obviously, I understand I got the process wrong, which I apologised for, but I want to have a good year and my first focus is to win a premiership,” Ponga said, addressing why he initially made himself unavailable last year.

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga breaks silence on international allegiance bombshell ahead of All-Stars match