NRL 2022: Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga rules himself out of the World Cup

A season full of more downs than ups has ended with more bad news for NRL star Kalyn Ponga.

Kalyn Ponga has withdrawn from World Cup contention (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga has made himself unavailable for Australia‘s World Cup team after concussions ended his NRL season early.

The Knights and Queensland fullback missed the last month of the season due to repeated concussions, with his club finishing in 14th spot.

He also had to explain himself after being filmed coming out of a toilet cubicle in Newcastle with Knights teammate Kurt Mann while his team was losing a match in Brisbane.

The 24-year-old was cleared of any wrongdoing but it ended a tumultuous 2o22 for Ponga with his leadership questioned amid suggestions he could be stripped of the captaincy.

nib Newcastle Knights Captain Kalyn Ponga has made himself unavailable for World Cup selection to focus on the Knights' preseason training👇

➡️ https://t.co/phgXYWTN7y#allredandblue

— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) September 7, 2022

He informed Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga of his decision this week, putting the need to recover for the 2023 NRL season at the forefront of his thoughts.

“I understand the potential opportunities that may be missed by this decision, however, due to the year we have endured, I really want to commit on the upcoming pre-season,” Ponga said in a club statement.

“My focus will sit firmly with nailing pre-season from the start, and I believe this decision is in the best interest of myself and the Knights.”

The Australian team isn’t short of fullbacks, with Roosters and NSW captain James Tedesco sure to full the No.1 jersey when the World Cup begins next month in England.