Kalyn Ponga may only have a pair of first-grade games to his name. but that hasn’t stopped the 18-year-old from pushing his claims for backline spot this pre-season.
The Newcastle Knights have pulled off a massive coup by securing Ponga on a four-year deal beginning in 2018, valued at a whopping $2.4 million. But the problem, Paul Green refuses to release the custodian a year early, leaving him stranded at a club where he has no future in 2017.
Blessed with the retention of their entire premiership-winning backline from 2015, there simply isn’t any vacancy for Ponga to fill. Paul Green has to make one.
The fullback has shown exactly what he’s capable so far this pre-season, with an eye-catching display at the Auckland Nines securing him a place in the Team of the Tournament, while last Saturday saw Ponga stand out in a trial match against the Roosters. The fleet-footed youngster set up one try and saved another, pushing his claims for an NRL spot even further.
Lachlan Coote, Kane Linnett and Justin O’Neill all featured in last year’s Four Nations tournament, while Kyle Feldt is regarded as a future Maroon and Antonio Winterstein has topped the club’s try-scoring list for four straight years. So who makes way for Ponga?
That’s the big question Paul Green faces, especially with fellow rookies Javid Bowen and Gideon Gela-Mosby in the squad. On one hand, Ponga is an undeniable talent, arguably the most gifted teenager in the NRL right now. On the other hand, blooding him further will only help the Knights more so in 2018. But he can’t be wasted.
Able to slot in at fullback, wing, centre or even the halves, Ponga could potentially slide into the bench utility role, though recruit Ben Hampton looks all but certain to have the No.14 jersey locked up. It appears Ponga will have to bide his time as a back-up for the time being.
Newcastle fans were licking their lips during the Auckland Nines, with Ponga stepping his way through the defensive line with nearly every touch. With a chance of an early release all but ruled out, Knight’s fans will have their fingers crossed that Green continues to play Ponga in the NRL throughout 2017.
Kalyn will have a final opportunity to push his claims for first-grade this Friday night against the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, with Ponga set to go toe-to-toe with New South Wale’s incumbent James Tedesco. If Green really wants to lift his side to a new level this season, then Ponga must be picked.
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