Weekend Read: Why Kalyn Ponga’s are the greatest advertisement for All Stars, the NRL leaves for Las Vegas and Dylan Brown’s contract

If Parramatta sensation Dylan Brown ends up jumping ship to Newcastle at the end of the season, Knights coach Adam O’Brien should send Eels legend Brett Kenny a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne, writes BRENT READ.

If Parramatta sensation Dylan Brown ends up jumping ship to Newcastle at the end of the season, Knights coach Adam O’Brien should send Eels legend Brett Kenny a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne.

Kenny no doubt meant well this week when he weighed in on the Brown contract saga, but all he did was provide the Knights with more ammunition as they look to convince the classy Eels half to explore his options elsewhere.

Kenny took umbrage at suggestions Brown was looking for $1.2 million a season to change clubs. Brown, mind you, has never commented on what he wants or expects from the Eels or rival clubs.

He has left the negotiations in the hands of his management, whose sole motivation is to source a better deal for their client. Their loyalty is to Brown, not the Eels.

The Knights are circling Dylan Brown. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nevertheless, Kenny claimed the New Zealand international wasn’t worth the money that was apparently being asked. Which is all well and good, except Kenny is an Eels legend and too often in the recent past, club legends have taken aim at the club and their players.

It’s something that irked former coach Brad Arthur and new coach Jason Ryles has tried to stop by opening the doors to those who dug the well. All Ryles and the Eels expect in return is for those same legends to keep their nose out of club business.

Or at least not weigh into it publicly with daming commentary. Kenny did just that at a sensitive time in negotiations with Brown. The Knights are cashed up and have made it clear that if Brown is to join them, he will be protected from the sort of public criticism that Kenny dished out this week.

Kenny couldn’t help himself. The Knights were doing cartwheels.

*****

If you truly want to appreciate the power of Saturday night’s game between the Indigenous and Maori All Stars at CommBank Stadium, you only need to look at Kalyn Ponga’s boots.

A pair of Nikes that go some way towards explaining why this week is more than just a football game. Why, in Ponga’s eyes, it needs to remain on the calendar.

On one of his dancing feet, Ponga will wear a boot with the inscription: “Toitu Te Tiriti”. It translates to honour the treaty, his way of paying homage to his ancestors and sending a message to those in power at a time when Maori men and women are fighting to protect the Treaty of Waitangi – the sacred document that is under threat amid a plan to redefine it.

The other boot will be inscribed with the words: “Ko Au te Awa.” It means “I am the river” and refers to the bond between Ponga’s spiritual ancestors and the Wanganui River.

Kalyn Ponga with his father Andre. Picture: Instagram

Ponga’s boots are an emotional reminder of why rugby league needs the All Stars game amid debate about whether it should be played in the pre-season, post-season, or even at all.

The game has been impacted by some high-profile absences in recent years through suspension, apathy and injury, prompting suggestions it has worn out its welcome.

This week shouldn’t be about who isn’t there though. It should be about who is. Players like Ponga, who copped a lashing when he turned down the chance to be selected for Australia late last year but didn’t hesitate when the Maoris came calling.

A mock-up of the boots. Picture: Supplied

There have been occasions in the past when Ponga has been maligned for his relationship with his family. Accusations that they wield too much influence over his football career.

Ponga wouldn’t have it any other way. Family is at the heart of everything he does. It’s why the Knights captain won’t be critical of Newcastle teammate Leo Thompson for turning his back on the club to take up an offer from the Bulldogs.

Because Thompson is doing what he thinks is best for his family and his future. Ponga treasures that above all else. Hence his decision to make himself available for the Maori All Stars.

Ponga feels strong connection to his Maori roots. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

“It is huge,” Kalyn said this week.

“My dad is one of 11. I have cousins everywhere and for them to see a Ponga representing a Maori jersey is special.

“I get nervous going into camp. But I am pretty comfortable now to where I was five years ago when I played.

“The bigger part for me is reconnecting with my Maori culture. It is awesome. I can’t wait.”

Nor can his family.

Art by Boo Bailey

“We’re called the river people,” father Andre said.

“They did a documentary on homesteads in New Zealand and we were the first ones. At the end of the day it’s his surname. He carries that surname.

“Symbolically it’s going to huge. It’s not like we bring them up as Australians you know. We raise them to who we are.

“He’s one of those unique ones but it seems to be happening a lot more in the game – that diversity. That Australian-born, Kiwi parents, Maori heritage, Queenslander.”

Ponga ahead of tomorrow night’s game. Picture: NRL Images

So strong is the Maori connection in the family home, Ponga’s younger sister has moved back to New Zealand to attend an elite sports school and strengthen her connection to her roots.

Her parents reluctantly agreed. So in the pre-season, when Ponga was in the throes of training, he raced back to New Zealand with the family to help his sister get a feel for her new surroundings.

“She was born in New Zealand and then we brought her back over,” Andre said.

“She had that spirit in her. Even K is supporting her with that. We took her back in the off-season.

“He jumped on a plane, went over for two days and then came back and did training. One of the things that I said to him is your sister traipses around with your career, this was something important to us.

“He made the time. So it’s pretty huge for her to go back and him to be able to represent at All Stars this weekend.

“It is about reconnecting. This is a great place, Australia. But our bloodline is back in New Zealand.”

The boots are testament to that.

*****

The NRL will soon leave for Vegas.

Less than a week now until nearly 200 footballers, a coterie of support staff and a handful of media jet out for Las Vegas and rugby league’s latest attempt to hijack the world’s biggest sporting market.

The signs are already promising. More tickets have been sold than last year, more Americans are expected to be at Allegiant Stadium and the corporate facilities are filling fast.

Former NFL star Todd Gurley has been roped in to help promote game. So have the Las Vegas Golden Knights and potentially the Los Angeles fire and police departments.

The NRL won’t die wondering as they take another step forward in their bid to conquer America. Last year was about dipping their toe in the water. This year, it’s about progress. Taking another step forward.

Amid the hubris of launching a second shot at conquering America, there’s another element to consider as well. The addition of Super League and women’s teams means an extra 80 or so players will be on the loose in Vegas.

The maiden voyage to Las Vegas went by without a hitch. There were fears that Sin City could catch out a player for two but the only real drama came on the field when Spencer Leniu was accused of racially vilifying Ezra Mam, culminating in a hotel lobby face-off.

Players were warned last year before they went about the dangers of Vegas. Alcohol, women, drugs, extortion. They clearly listened.

The warnings have been issued again this year. It is understood local law enforcement have spoken to players at each of the clubs to remind them to keep their guard up and be on their best behaviour.

Let’s hope they heed the warning. There were genuine fears last year that a player or two might get caught out. None did and the NRL let out a collective exhale on their return to Australian shores.

Head office and their clubs need to ensure the players don’t drop their guard and remain on their best behaviour. Complacency, after all, is the enemy in Vegas.

Originally published as Weekend Read: Why Kalyn Ponga’s are the greatest advertisement for All Stars, the NRL leaves for Las Vegas and Dylan Brown’s contract