Kalyn Ponga ‘used to’ frustrating rumours surround his future with the Newcastle Knights
A frustrated Kalyn Ponga has admitted he can’t escape contract talks, but has his eyes firmly on the 2026 season and new beginnings in Newcastle
Kalyn Ponga admits it’s frustrating to continually have to put to bed discussions of his contract and commitment to the Knights.
But talks of any moves won’t faze him from seeing out his deal.
The Knights star fullback reiterated there’s nothing keeping him from giving his all to the Hunter Region, despite raising some eyebrows over his time in New Zealand.
“It is (frustrating) definitely, but for some reason I’m used to it,” Ponga said.
“As long as these boys know where my commitment is and the coaching staff, then people can say what they want.
“That’s all I control. I can’t really control what’s written about me, but I can control the way it is for us, how I show up for them (players). That’s all I really care about.”
Rumours began quickly circling in the off-season when a photo surfaced of Ponga speaking with Warriors general manager of recruitment Andrew McFadden at Full Time Sports Bar and Eatery in Auckland.
But Ponga confirmed he was there for a speaking gig.
“It was owned by the Warriors, I believe, and obviously being owned by the Warriors I think some of their staff were there,” he said.
“I had a conversation with them while I was doing the gig, and a photo come out.
“It was unfortunate to take the limelight away from what the weekend was about.
“That speaking gig was a privilege to be a part of and for it to go missing in the messaging, it was unfortunate.”
Ponga has also been mentioned as a possible target of R360 officials, particularly after the sensational releases of Zax Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen in recent weeks.
However he again brushed off any suggestions that he would follow suit.
“I don’t really have any thoughts to be honest, whatever they’re doing for them or their best interests, as a mate, good luck to them,” he said.
Ponga’s 2025 season was cut short by a lisfranc injury, dooming the Knights to a sorry campaign that ended in the wooden spoon and the demise of coach Adam O’Brien.
But a fully fit Ponga returned to pre-season training on Monday, and has quickly taken to new coach Justin Holbrook’s early approach in their first discussions.
“I think his demeanour, his calmness, we haven’t overly touched too much on footy. We’ve only had like three sessions on the field,” he said.
Holbrook will be Kalyn’s third coach since arriving at the Knights in 2018, but says the early signs of success are there.
“I only had a few conversations, I’d been out training for a week, but had a few conversations with Justin. He just seems calm and poised,” he said.
The star No.1 also revealed he has had a few coffees with new recruit Dylan Brown before his Pacific Championships heroics, and said he admired how the Kiwis star carried himself through a spotlight heavy season, something he knows all too well.
“I don’t really understand what went on at Parramatta, but the way he held himself apparently was amazing and just speaks on the type of character he is,” he said.
“He’s a class player, he always has been.”
He’s also been impressed with new playmaker Sandon Smith.
“We had a couple of sessions now. He seems like a good lad. Excited to play some good footy with him, build that combination. That’s what the pre-season’s for,” he said.
Ponga is hoping he can stay fit for a full year and turn the Knights’ fortunes in 2026.
“We obviously don’t want to go through that feeling again or those games,” he said.
“So being on the sideline and not having an impact on what happens on the field is always hard, especially as a captain.
“It’s hard, but I’m fit now. So I’m ready to rumble and hopefully can fly into the season.”
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Originally published as Kalyn Ponga ‘used to’ frustrating rumours surround his future with the Newcastle Knights
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