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Newcastle Knights young gun Kalyn Ponga has expressed a possible desire to play for the All Blacks.
The fullback, who has taken the NRL by storm this year and made his State of Origin debut for the Queensland Maroons in Game 2 of this year’s series, talked of a potential desire later in his career to swap back union.
After being born in Western Australia, Ponga spent the five years in Palmerston North and tried his hand at multiple sports, proving successful at most of them.
When Ponga returned to Australia, he played rugby in Brisbane’s GPS competition for Anglican Church Grammar School, was taken on two Australian Schoolboys trips in rugby league and also wound up in the Brisbane Lions AFL talent program.
Speaking to tvnz.co.nz, it may come of little surprise then that Ponga said he doesn’t know what his future will hold.
“I’m not too sure what my future is going to hold and whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes, but if I was to go back to union, I would want to strive for that black jumper,” said Ponga.
“I think it’s the pinnacle. They are the best sporting organisation in the world, the stats have showed that.
“The way they hold themselves and their values and it’s just the little things that they do that make them that step above everyone else.
“To put that jersey on would be pretty special.”
Ponga is currently in the first year of a four-year deal at the Knights, with the fullback proving to be one of their best players this season and in line to win rookie of the year.
He said he has no plans to jump ship before his contract at Newcastle ends, but didn’t commit either way afterwards.
“I’ve got three years with my contract with the Knights and I’ve got some things I want to achieve in that time.
“I don’t know what is going to happen at the end of that, but playing at the pinnacle is the goal.
Newcastle are out of finals contention for 2018 and Ponga will line up in the halves when the side face the Cronulla Sharks this coming weekend.