Kalyn Ponga’s push to prioritise Newcastle over Australian selection could face resistance from the NRL, with rules stating players must make themselves available for representative fixtures.
Ponga shocked league officials on Tuesday when he announced via the Knights’ website he did not want to play in the end-of-year Tests and would instead prioritise Newcastle’s pre-season training.
The fullback claimed he wanted his full focus to be on winning the Knights a premiership, while believing he had not yet proved himself to be a great signing for Newcastle.
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“I think it smacks of a bit of arrogance, saying to the Australian selectors ‘I’m more worried about my club side than playing for Australia’,” former 7NEWS presenter Pat Welsh said on SEN.
League great Corey Parker said Ponga’s call went against the view he held during his own playing career.
“I couldn’t go past a green and gold jersey if I was healthy and available,” he said on SEN.
Ponga’s plans could still potentially hit a hurdle with NRL rules dictating players must make themselves available for all representative fixtures, unless injured.
That rule does include international football.
AAP has been told the uncapped Ponga was one of the players in the mix to be named in Mal Meninga’s squad for the Pacific Championships, starting October 18.
It is therefore possible Meninga could still be able to pick the 26-year-old if he wished to push the issue — but Ponga’s statement may have brought the situation to a head regardless.
“You want people playing for your country who want to be there,” Parker said.
There is every chance the NRL could seek further information from the Knights, with the potential of sanctions for clubs if players are not made available for selection without a valid reason.
The ARL Commission have made a point to make international football a key focus, with Peter V’landys declaring on 100% Footy on Monday night he wanted the Kangaroos jersey to be the pinnacle again and the Pacific Championships a successful venture.
Ponga made himself unavailable for State of Origin selection last season, however that came after a long stint out following a concussion.
There are no such injury concerns this time with Ponga confirming in an interview on SEN radio on the weekend he was fit to play for the Kangaroos.
“I pulled up sweet from the (elimination final against North Queensland),” Ponga said on Saturday.
“Coming back from my injury I have had no niggles or anything in the back half of the season. I am fit and able.”
Instead, Ponga confirmed on Tuesday his decision was based on a desperation to return for Newcastle’s pre-season in November alongside his teammates.
“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 earned that yet. That’s why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals.”
Ponga missed two-and-a-half months this year through a foot injury and did not reach the heights of his 2023 Dally M form until August.
But he roared back to life late, taking the Knights to the first week of the finals with 50 tackle busts and seven try assists in his last six games.
The Queenslander’s attempted withdrawal means James Tedesco has firmed to hold onto his spot as Australia’s fullback and captain for the Pacific Championships.
Tedesco has had one of his best seasons since 2019, but was dropped from NSW’s State of Origin side this year.
His replacement Dylan Edwards has since battled a knee injury and there is every chance he could be ruled out of the post-season Tests.
Maroons fullback Reece Walsh has also gone off the boil late in the season, while Tom Trbojevic will likely require end-of-season surgery on his shoulder.
– with 7NEWS
