Bizarre move amid Kalyn Ponga’s stunning Kangaroos backflip

Kalyn Ponga’s international eligibility drama has finally come to a conclusion as the situation took a bizarre turn on Friday night.

Ponga has made a call. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Kalyn Ponga has sensationally backflipped on making himself ineligible to represent Australia at the season-ending Pacific Championship, releasing a second statement on Friday night.

The drama erupted on Tuesday after the Knights and Ponga posted a statement saying he would make himself ineligible to make his Kangaroos debut, igniting a debate between legends over whether Ponga was disrespecting the jersey.

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But the NRL also stepped in, giving the Knights and Ponga a deadline to backflip on the decision or risk a sanction, which may have been a ban at the start of next season, while some even called for a ban from Origin or from ever playing for Australia.

Initially given an ultimatum of 4pm Thursday, the deadline was extended to Friday morning, with the Knights waiting until the start of the Storm-Roosters preliminary final to share the decision.

The Daily Telegraph reported the statement arrived at 8.05pm, minutes after the start of the game.

“The Newcastle Knights and club captain Kalyn Ponga understands his responsibilities under his NRL playing contract, NRL rules and the Collective Bargaining Agreement,” the Knights statement read.

“Both parties commit to fulfilling all obligations, including availability to play representative football, subject to the standard health, fitness and mental readiness.”

Incredibly, Australian coach Mal Meninga hasn’t even selected his squad and Ponga may not even be selected, meaning the drama would have all been for nothing.

Yet to have represented Australia, the No. 1 jersey for Australia is believed to be a three-way battle between Ponga, James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards.

On NRL 360 on Thursday night however, Braith Anasta suggested Ponga could well be selected in the No. 14 jersey as a utility if not in the No. 1, as the other two stars are more genuine fullbacks.

Ponga has seemingly backflipped on the decision. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Ponga was reportedly at the centre of the decision, taking the Knights by surprise when he released the statement earlier in the week.

His reason for ruling himself out was the desire to have a full pre-season to best prepare him to play a full season.

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

“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 earnt that yet, that’s why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals.”

The Knights backed the call from Ponga.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said the entire situation showed there needed to be better communication between the players, clubs and the national team.

While he added that any conversations between he and Ponga would remain private, he admitted he was disappointed, particularly when the star hadn’t reached out to explain the decision before the announcement dropped.

“(I found out) just through the press release, unfortunately,” Meninga said on SEN 1170 The Throwdown.

“That’s the first I think anyone knew about it. I’m assuming the Newcastle club as well (didn’t know). I think this was done independently, that’s my read on it all.

“I’ve spoken to Kalyn in confidence and that conversation will stay private.”

Ponga has made himself available for the Kangaroos. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Meninga said while he believes Ponga wants to play for Australia, the coach said of his decision to devote himself to the Knights to repay their faith: “I think that’s a fair excuse, to be honest with you.”

But club legend Andrew Johns blasted the Knights for the move, labelling it “amateur hour”, arguing the club should have seen the backlash coming.

He doubled down later in the week, arguing “it’s his decision to stand down”, although he conceded Ponga could have done things better.

“He should have called Mal, that’s the big one,” Johns said.

“It looks poor form when he hasn’t spoken to Mal. I understand he spoke to Mal yesterday and cleared the air, but it should have been done, and I think should be done face-to-face, not over the phone.

“In hindsight, if Kalyn picked up the phone or, better still, came down to Sydney Town and sat down with Mal and just said ‘look, these are the reasons why I don’t want to play’, I think Mal would still have his players hat on (and) would totally understand.”

Originally published as Bizarre move amid Kalyn Ponga’s stunning Kangaroos backflip