Ponga says no to the Kangaroos
On Tuesday, Kalyn Ponga announced that he would not be making himself available for selection for the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships. In a baffling announcement, the Knights fullback said he has not earned a spot on the Kangaroos squad because of his lack of success with Newcastle.
“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.”
NRL fans blast decision
Ponga’s decision to rule himself out from selection was not taken well by the NRL community. That’s putting it lightly.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta called the decision and the way Ponga went about announcing it “unprofessional.”
Fellow panellist Paul Crawley went a step further. The veteran NRL journalist called for Ponga to be fined and banned from the State of Origin.
“There’s a way to do things…the NRL have to take a stand on this,” Crawley said, criticising the way Ponga announced his decision without notifying the NRL and Kangaroos boss Mal Meninga.
“It’s a show of disrespect to the NRL…I would slap him with a fine for bringing the game into disrepute,” Crawley added.
V’landys promises investigation
Journalist Dave Riccio revealed on NRL 360 that it wasn’t just Australia fans who were upset with Ponga’s decision. He said NRL officials were “disappointed” with Ponga. When asked if Mal Meninga was upset with the Knights star as well, Riccio responded “absolutely.”
Peter V’landys confirmed Riccio’s reporting on Wednesday. The NRL boss said he was disappointed with Ponga and called the decision unsportsmanlike.
“For me, what’s more disappointing is when I was a kid, my dream was to play for Australia, to represent your country,” he said.
“As a sportsperson, that should be your ambition in any sport – to represent your country. That’s what this point is for me. The thing that hurts me the most is that you don’t want to represent your country and wear the green and gold. Kids and people would dream to represent their country in anything,” he continued.
V’landys was also asked if he would force Ponga to join the Kangaroos at the Pacific Championships in October.
“Well, I don’t want to use the word force, but I’m going to investigate this one, put it that way,” V’landys responded.
NRL rules require all players to make themselves available for international selection unless they are injured. If Ponga does not make himself eligible for Australia at the Pacific Championships, potential penalties include a NRL suspension or a ban from all other rugby league competitions, including the State of Origin.
