Kalyn Ponga drops international allegiance bombshell as he puts hand up for All-Stars match

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has sent shockwaves through the rugby league world, dropping a hint he may be set for a big change.

Kalyn Ponga has reportedly put his hand up for New Zealand Maori in the annual All Stars pre-season match, sparking rumours of a potential allegiance switch.

Four months ago Ponga was embroiled in a representative football saga after declaring himself unavailable for Kangaroos selection for the Pacific Championships, due to wanting to focus on his pre-season with the Knights.

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However, after making that decision, the star fullback was threatened with sanctions by the NRL if he didn’t make himself available and subsequently backflipped on his decision declaring he was ready and willing to be selected.

In the end, he was left out of Mal Meninga’s squad, in what concluded a bizarre ordeal.

However, this week it was revealed the fullback is keen to play for New Zealand Maori in the annual All-Stars match in the lead-up to the 2025 NRL season.

Kalyn Ponga was snubbed by Mal Meninga for the Pacific Championships Kangaroos squad. Image: Getty

“When I spoke to him about it, he indicated he was keen to play,” Knights football director Peter Parr told SMH.

“I haven’t heard any different, so I expect he’ll play.”

That revelation has cast doubt over whether Ponga may ultimately decide to represent New Zealand at international level in the future.

In an interview with TVNZ in 2017, Ponga made it known it was his family’s desire to see him represent New Zealand and the fullback admitted to being torn about which nation to pledge his alegience to.

“It’s (New Zealand roots) a very important part of my heritage. It’s who I am. It’s the values and morals embedded in me through my uncles and my Dad,” Ponga said in the interview.

Kalyn Ponga has reportedly put his hand up for New Zealand Maori in the annual All Stars pre-season match, sparking rumours of a potential allegiance switch (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“There’s been a cloud over my head as to what I’m doing with my allegiance.”

The star fullback was born in Western Australia before being raised in Palmerston North in New Zealand.

He then moved to Mackay as a teen, where he began his rugby league career.

He played for the Australian Schoolboys and the Junior Kangaroos and declared his allegiance to Queensland and Australia at the beginning of 2018.

However, whether that remains the case moving forward is unclear.

Originally published as Kalyn Ponga drops international allegiance bombshell as he puts hand up for All-Stars match