NRL 2024: Kalyn Ponga opens up on Maori All Stars return, Knights premiership hopes

Kalyn Ponga has opened up on his infamous controversial decision to withdraw from Kangaroos selection, insisting he has buried the hatchet with Mal Meninga, as he prepares to represent the Maori All Stars.

Kalyn Ponga says there was no malice in his decision to make himself unavailable for the Kangaroos at the end of last season and insists he has buried the hatchet with national coach Mal Meninga as he prepares to make a shock return to the representative arena for the NZ Maori All Stars.

Ponga stunned Meninga when he turned down the chance to be considered for Australia at the end of last season, a move he now concedes he could have handled better.

The Newcastle star spoke to Meninga in the aftermath of the controversy and walked away from the phone call with a fresh appreciation of what it would be like to play under Kangaroos boss.

Australian selection, however, will take a back seat as he prepares to honour his family by pulling on the Maori All Stars jersey before refocusing his efforts on winning a premiership with the Knights.

Kalyn Ponga has opened up on his shock Kangaroos withdrawal ahead of his surprise return to rep footy for he NZ Maori All Stars. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“I get nervous going into camp,” Ponga said.

“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.

“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.”

Ponga insists he hasn’t ruled out making himself available for Australia this year.

“My body and my mind wasn’t ready to go into that camp (last year),” he said.

“That was the main feeling. 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.

“That’s why I’ve been at this club for so long. That’s what I want to do.”

Ponga will play for the Maori Kiwis for the first time since February 22, 2020. Picture: AAP

Asked about his conversation with Meninga, Ponga said: “Yeah, we did talk. He was all right. I can see why people want to play for Mal.

“That’s what I got from the phone calls that I had with him. Despite everything that was going on, you can just understand why people want to play for him.”

Ponga is contracted to the Knights until the end of 2027 on a mega-deal that makes him one of the highest paid players in the game.

Ponga spoke to Meninga in the aftermath of the controversy and walked away from the phone call with a fresh appreciation of what it would be like to play under Kangaroos boss. Picture: Getty Images

Money, however, isn’t his motivation. Winning a premiership with the Knights is at the forefront of his mind. He has previously been linked with a switch to rugby union and while it isn’t on his radar at the moment, a premiership may change that.

“I don’t know – I have things that I want to achieve first, so it will all depend on that really,” Ponga said.

“Winning a comp is one goal … and then again, if I win one, do I want to win another one?

“I obviously don’t have that feeling of winning a premiership, so it would be nice to achieve that.

“The other thing … I don’t know if I can even pick the game up again. I haven’t watched a rugby union game in probably 10 years. I don’t know what position I’d play.

“It’d be a challenge. It’d be a massive adjustment. You reassess things definitely. Depending on when I get one, what age I am, what I want to do … what doors are open and what opportunities are out there.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Kalyn Ponga opens up on Maori All Stars return, Knights premiership hopes