- Kalyn Ponga withdrew from the Australian national team this week
- The NRL has given him a deadline to clarify his position.
- New Zealand had developed a ‘secret strategy to sign the defender’
The NRL has given Kalyn Ponga a deadline to clarify whether he will be available for selection for Australia’s upcoming tests against Tonga and New Zealand.
The Newcastle full-back’s surprise decision to rule out the Kangaroos’ upcoming matches in order to prioritise preparation for the 2025 NRL season has been met with some criticism.
This also comes after a report by the The Sydney Morning Herald He claimed New Zealand had made a “secret move” to sign the NRL’s highest-paid player, who was backed to make his debut for the Kangaroos in October.
If Ponga opts to play for the Kiwis, it would seemingly dash his hopes of representing the Maroons in next year’s State of Origin, as players representing top-tier nations such as England and New Zealand will not be eligible to play in the three-match series.
Amid uncertainty over the 26-year-old’s decision, the The Telegraph newspaper has revealed that Ponga had been given a deadline of 4pm on Thursday 26 September to make his position clear on international representation.
The outlet also claims that both Newcastle and representatives of the full-back’s club had spent “hours on Thursday locked in discussions” over his international loyalty.
The full-back had also ruled himself out of State of Origin selection in 2023 due to concussion. But in a statement released earlier this week, the NRL star insisted his focus was on “winning a competition” with Newcastle.
After releasing his statement, he received public backing from the Knights, who wrote in a press release: ‘(The club) supports the decision Kalyn has made and will respect his request to not comment further on this matter.’
The NRL has given Kalyn Ponga a deadline of 4pm on Thursday 26 September to clarify his position on Australia selection.
The decision could scupper his possible selection for next year’s State of Origin series.
Any decision not to play for the Kangaroos could lead to Newcastle receiving a penalty, as NRL rules state that players must be eligible to play for the national team unless injured.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has since spoken publicly of his disappointment at Ponga’s decision.
“Playing for the Kangaroos is the pinnacle of the game in this country,” Meninga said in a statement.
‘I was disappointed not only that Kalyn made the decision to not be available for the Kangaroos, but also the process that led to that decision and the announcement.
“I have spoken to Kalyn since then and while I understand her intention, that doesn’t erase the disappointment in her decision.”
Earlier today, Meninga also explained that while he thought Ponga’s decision to dedicate himself was “fair”, he said being “tired or fatigued” was not an excuse for not being available for an international call-up.
“Through licensing agreements, each club has to make its players available for representative duties unless they are injured or there is some other reason,” Meninga said.
His decision “disappointed” Australia coach Mal Meninga (pictured), who said being tired was no excuse for refusing selection.
It also comes after a report in the Sydney Morning Herald claimed New Zealand had made a “secret approach” to sign the NRL’s highest-paid player.
“Those are the facts. It’s not that you’re too tired or fatigued.
“I am aware that all players are putting their bodies and minds through a difficult year.
“There is not a single player who is not recovering from an injury, there is not a single player who does not need rehabilitation to get through the tough year.
“So it’s no excuse. If you’re fit and healthy enough to play football, then you should be available.”
