Toilet cubicle excuse given for Kalyn Ponga and Kurt Mann mocked

An excuse for why two NRL stars were caught on video, fully-clothed, in a toilet cubicle has been torn to shreds by two journalists.

Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.

An excuse provided for why Newcastle Knights stars Kalyn Ponga and Kurt Mann were seen walking out of a toilet cubicle has been torn to shreds.

In the short clip, Ponga and Mann are asked to step out of a toilet cubicle. Both men walk out, fully-clothed with drinks in hand.

“Oh, that’s a surprise,” the security guard can be heard saying as the two men walk out.

The four-second clip is captioned: “Ponga getting done in the toilet.”

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The damning footage comes after Ponga confirmed on Sunday his season was over due to strict concussion protocols. He has been sidelined since the Knight’s round 19 clash with the Sydney Roosters.

“I’d be sweet for the last round but doing no contact for the year, it probably would be a wise thing not to play the last round,” Ponga said on Triple M.

“My season’s done. It’s a bit weird. I feel OK now. At the start I felt a bit weird, headaches and whatnot, but I feel all right now.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Knights are seeking an explanation from Ponga.

However, Ponga’s father Andre told the News Corp publication that the Newcastle duo were in the toilet together due to illness.

“He made an exciting house purchase Saturday and celebrated with a few mates drinking,” he said.

“Sick in the toilet and his mate went in to help him.”

NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta and journalist James Hooper were highly sceptical on the excuse given by Ponga’s father.

“We might have to get pinocchio out again, we’re not believing that fairytale are we?” Hooper said on NRL 360.

“It’s not often you go to the toilets with a mate to throw up, do ya,” Anasta said.

Hooper added: “They’re both coming out holding bourbon and cokes. It’s a bad scene.”

Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.

Journalist Buzz Rothfield believes the footage could result in Ponga being stripped of his club captaincy.

“It’s a really bad look and I know the Knights are really concerned about the PR side of it, the culture side of it,” Rothfield said.

“Do you know how serious I think it is, I think he will be stripped of the captaincy.”

Anasta interjected and asked why the club would come down so hard on Ponga for the indiscretion.

“His team is fighting to avoid the wooden spoon, they had a game against the Broncos on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium and he chose to go out and get himself plastered.”

The Knights confirmed they were investigating the video in a statement on Monday.

“The Newcastle Knights have been informed of a matter involving current players,” the statement said.

“Knights management has commenced a process to gather all the required facts. Until such time no further comment will be provided.”

Mann is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury that has restricted him to 11 games this season and Hooper stated on Monday night he is on an alcohol ban.

Ponga has played 88 NRL games for the Knights since signing for the club in 2018, also representing Queensland in seven State of Origin fixtures.

He signed a five-year contract with Newcastle earlier this season.