Kalyn Ponga’s telling act amid rumours of potential Newcastle Knights exit

The noise around Kalyn Ponga being unsettled at the Knights has been at its highest this week but the fullback has put that to bed.

Kalyn Ponga has shut down any talks he is itching for a move away from Newcastle after an inspiring performance in the Knights’ 26-12 win over the Dolphins on Thursday night.

The star fullback had a hand in everything as Newcastle started the season 2-0 as they search for a drought-breaking premiership.

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After Dylan Brown agreed to a $13m deal to join the Knights from next season, rumours circulated that he may never play with Ponga, with the fullback heavily linked with the Roosters.

On NRL 360 this week NRL great Braith Anasta said there are rumours he’s not completely happy at Newcastle.

“There are rumours that Kalyn’s not 100 per cent happy, we’re not just making this up. The rumours have been going for a while now,” Braith Anasta said.

“Does Kalyn definitely stay? Is it a possibility he leaves?”

You can watch all his incredible try assists in the player above

Kalyn Ponga showed just how much the Knights mean to him after the first try. Image: Kayo/Getty

However, all that talk was put to bed as Ponga celebrated every good tackle, try and try-saver on Thursday night, showing he is clearly all-in and cares as much as ever.

“He’s the everywhere man for the Newcastle Knights and he is pumped up in the background,” Cooper Cronk noted in Fox Sports’ commentary after the Knights scored their first try.

It will be a massive relief for Knights fans to see, with Ponga not only a beloved figure in Newcastle but also the key to the club challenging for an elusive NRL premiership.

And it appears the rumours he may seek to get out of his contract, which runs until the end of 2027, early are off the mark, but that we should have already known.

In order to focus on club football Ponga has previously ruled himself out of State of Origin and as recently as last year he announced he wouldn’t be making himself available to play for Australia at the Pacific Championships.

Kalyn Ponga starred on Thursday night. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“I want to win a comp, for me, anything short of that, isn’t success,” Ponga said ahead of the Pacific Championships.

“My focus has never shifted from wanting to win a premiership with the Knights, that has been my goal since I joined the club in 2018 and continues to be my focus.

“When I’m done, I want to look back at my career with a positive reflection, including people saying he was a great signing and represented our community to the best of his ability.

“For now, I don’t feel like I have earned that yet. That’s why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals.”

Ponga masterclass eases concerns

Despite winning their opening game last weekend, all the chatter in the Hunter through the week swirled around Brown’s monster 10-year deal to play halfback from 2026.

But while many questioned his ability to lead a side, Ponga’s performance on Thursday hushed the haters after three try-assists, as well as earning multiple repeat sets off his boot.

It’s only Round 2, but it sets up an interesting few months between Ponga and Reece Walsh to see who dons the Maroons’ No. 1 jersey in May.

– with NewsWire