I’ve got a confession to make. I called Kalyn Ponga this week, asking if he’d like to come work for me.
I didn’t really have a plan as to what jobs I’d assign him at Joe Frost Industries – bit of subbing, maybe some white-label content, could be anything – it’s just that, well, apparently everyone else was asking him to sign.
Why not throw my hate in the ring? I mean, kid’s a freak, you’d be a fool not to at least try.
So I was none too surprised when a media release came out on Friday afternoon entitled “Ponga statement from Knights and NRL”.
“Here we go,” I thought. “The modern-day Silvertails and head office coming after me, the small businessman. Typical.”
But, instead, the guts of it was a hands-off to Rugby Australia.
“It is inappropriate for any contact to be made from rugby union – or anyone else for that matter – and it is extremely disappointing,” Knights CEO Phil Gardner said.
For his part, NRL boss Todd Greenberg said, “Kalyn has a significant period remaining on his contract and it would be disappointing to see any contact made to any player under these circumstances.”
Fellas, I’m insulted!
By addressing the interest from Rugby Australia, you imply that the worst-run sporting organisation in the country is a bigger threat of poaching Ponga than me.
Granted, KP probably (probably) has more interest in playing rugby union than crafting copy, but he’ll be looking for typos and incorrect commas long before he wears gold.
Because, seriously, why would you play for the Wallabies when the All Blacks are an option? That’d be like deciding to play for South Newcastle rather than the Knights.
No offence to the mighty Lions – who boast such famous alumni as Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Sione Mata’utia and Ben freakin’ Simmons – but you don’t grow up in the Hunter hoping to run out onto a packed Townson Oval; you want to be cheered on by a crowd of 25,000 at McDonald Jones.
(AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)
For Ponga, who is a proud Māori, it’d be the All Blacks or bust in the 15-man code. The hint was when he explicitly stated as much, having said last year, “If I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper, it’s the pinnacle.”
And that is what he said – not that playing for the All Blacks would be “the pinnacle of his sporting career” as News incorrectly reported this week.
So nice try, RA, but I’m in with a better shot than you lot.
That’s not to say the hottest prospect in Aussie sport is a sure thing to stay in Newcastle for his career.
The 21-year-old could have 15 years ahead of him on a sporting field and while supporters of the red and blue would mortgage our houses to ensure he sticks around, apparently money isn’t going to be the determining factor in his decision.
Which sort of makes sense, even if it blows my tiny mind.
I made the argument a few weeks ago that Latrell Mitchell would be a fool to stay at the Roosters if it was to cost him a million bucks, but Ponga looks set to pass up that kind of cash.
His father, Andre Ponga, told NRL.com this week that “money is not important” to his son.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
While the Knights are reportedly keen to extend their dynamic fullback’s contract – which would logically also see his reported $600,000 a season deal upgraded to seven figures – Ponga Sr said the family want to see out the current deal before making their next move.
“To some people that might sound stupid, but that’s what we believe is best for him,” Andre said.
“People are saying he should take it when he can get it, but in 2021 – let’s say he goes backwards, that’s what he is worth. That’s his value then. To me, that’s the reality.”
That means about a million bucks going begging over the next two years, which is as clear a sign as you’ll ever get that the young gun doesn’t want to tie himself down just yet.
I’d hope like hell it’s not because he’s got an eye on a move to the Roosters or Broncos – no inside mail here folks, it’s just that they’re the clubs that awesome players have a tendency to get poached by.
And with the Wests Group lodging plans this week for a frankly amazing Knights centre of excellence – seriously, check this joint out, who wouldn’t want to play for a club with these facilities? – and the first-grade side flying high, you’d have to think Ponga will be a Knight if he does stay in the NRL.
But that’s the kicker, isn’t it? Will he stay in the NRL?
I doubt he’s made up his mind about what happens next, but as Phil Gould pointed out this week, he could make $2.5 million a year playing rugby in Europe. Andre may say money is not the deciding factor, but just four seasons at that rate sets you up for a very, very comfortable life – and ten years means your kids never have to work a day in their lives. Plus you get to have all the amazing life experiences of living in the south of France.
Or maybe KP wants to play at a legit World Cup, winning the final in front of 80,000 people at the Stade de France in 2023.
But if the latter is the case, I can assure you he won’t be doing it playing for Australia.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Basketball, Athletics. Cycling, Boxing. Then sports that are not big in Africa but everywhere else. Swimming, Tennis Golf, Motor Sports (F1 in Europe Indy in America and moto gp in both). I would say baseball is bigger, it's certainly bigger in terms of profile. There would be less than 1% of the worlds population that would know what kind of sporting team the Wallabies are. Bigger than Rugby League yes by the length of the straight. But behind only soccer please.
James
Roar Rookie
This is a fairly flawed argument. Both Cricket and rugby are world wide sports in relativity to almost any other sport, bar soccer, which is clearly the most universally played game?
James
Roar Rookie
Australia have lost one game against wales since 2009, and it happened last year amidst a trend of bad results. Australia hasn't lost to fiji since 1954
James
Roar Rookie
Hey Joe, why are you so negative about the Wallabies and Australian Rugby in general? Ponga grew up (at least for most of his childhood) in Australia, is playing for Queensland in Rugby League (and probably the kangaroos) and would hardly be the first maori/polynesian person to play for the wallabies despite not being born here? I have no issue with calling out Cheika for poor coaching but how can you be so negative about a guy making an effort to get an extremely talented player to play for the wallabies, even if there is only a very slim chance/no chance at all of it happening? The same people giving him a hard time about it are the ones who moan when Australian union players go overseas, or alternatively go straight from schoolboy rugby into league. What's more, I don't think any kiwi realises how diabolically bad a dying rugby union game in Australia is for their own rugby interests. Any money new zealand makes from rugby is tied up with Australian (and south african) television deals. So when Australian rugby goes down the toilet, chances are heaps of kiwi players will head to Europe too. Cheers
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I often lament the fact that a compromise wasn't reached in that meeting in the North of England back in the 1880s. I'm sure the world would be a better place. To be honest though it doesn't bother me that league is not an international sport. It could be like soccer where there are thousands of soccer fans in Sydney but hardly any of them know a thing about the A league. I would also argue the degree to which the RWC meets the criteria of "meaningful international competition" the All Blacks won't start a game at a longer price than $1.20 and you can pretty much pick the 8 teams who will qualify for the finals.
Bozo
Guest
The NZRU was certainly interested in TT, as I recall though he would not commit to NZ long term so they cut him from the Schools team. Not even remotely true. Tupou lived in NZ for only a short time; he wasn't even eligible for NZ Schools. His claim to fame was a PR campaign conducted through Youtube by his manager/family ...one showing Tupou (twice the size of most other boys) running amok in college rugby. The public threat from Team Tupou was if you don't throw a fat contract at me I'll go to Australia. NZR: "Don't let the door hit you on the way out..."
Ouch
Roar Rookie
3rd most watched sporting event in the world Yeh, keep telling yourself that. A cricket game last night between India and Pakistan had more viewers than the RWC. Easily behind Olympics, football, cricket and probably the Superbowl, NBA finals, European football championships, African and Asian football championships
cookie
Roar Guru
Paulie, I don't watch league anymore but I did catch a few minutes on Origin 1 and I was dismayed at how poor the players passing was... These guys are supposed to be the pinnacle of league yet most of them simply cannot pass. No doubt league should get rid of scrums, I'd be embarrassed to pack in one.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
There is a lot of “what if’s” floating around about this kid who still has over 2 years left on his contract. I can also see the NRL putting a major bump into their salary cap to keep players like him in the comp. money talks regardless of what he says now and the French will always win this game.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Or maybe he’s been in the league bubble his whole life and it has never popped. Being an ex AFL Vic and HS league Qlder now living in Japan, I am loving the growth of Union over the last 15 years. Maybe it’ll be more about what game is more satisfying to play for Ponga. For me Union is because as a back you can use a lot more skills( if you have them) Hopefully Ponga will see it that way. By the way I played in the Old boys over 38 prefecture Final today ( I’m 44) and we won by 3 points. It was great to get that feeling back of being with my old mates and playing hard, fair rugby. A shout out to https://m.facebook.com/vicmastersrugby/ and https://www.google.co.jp/amp/s/www.theroar.com.au/2019/06/13/a-message-to-all-rugby-players-its-ok-to-be-not-ok/amp/ And Geoff Parkes for motivating me to get out there and last the whole game and remember what it’s like to go that extra for your mates. It was Father’s day here in Japan and I had a good quick surf early, played our match then went out to dinner with that family! What a day! Who said rugby is dying at grass roots!
Double Agent
Guest
For some reason people here in oz (and the USA) in what I think was a two fingered salute to Great Britain turned their backs on rugby and soccer and instead chose League and AFL and NFL. In hindsight this has been the dumbest decision Australians ever made - in a sporting context. It has led to nearly all our best athletes of the last 100 years playing winter sports of no interest outside of Australia. It has meant that our greatest players have never represented Australia in a meaningful international contest. We've been dominated for years by NZ in rugby when given the respective size of our populations we should've been dominating them. Our soccer teams have basically been a joke. If not for embracing non entity sports such as League and AFL Australian soccer could have been one of the best teams in the world. The same could be said for the USA but maybe that's a good thing otherwise they'd just win everything!!
Double Agent
Guest
Gold comment Dave!!
Tim
Guest
Better hope he’s not a Christian
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
no arguments from me, but also irrelevant. They obviously picked Australia because they wanted to play for Australia, not to maximise their potential.
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
they could be different and better players if played for ab all depending if ab selectors picked them first
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
No disagreements that it is well behind soccer, cricket, Aussie rules and rugby league in prominence in Australia.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yes it is. But here in Australia if you are looking for news and reports on the Super Rugby Finals in the major newspapers don't give up keep turning the pages you'll come to it eventually. If you do overlook the half page or so of print just look for the Taralgan dishlickers results, It should be on the same page there somewhere. I'm sure in the Copenhagen express though it's given more prominence.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Probably both would have, and I suspect that they too knew that. Obviously, they saw representing Australia as more important recognising their own potential.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Right, well I know Karl Pilkington isn't everyone's cup of tea and he is my favourite 'comedian' (if you can call him that), but the author and I clearly have very different senses of humour.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Golden spells emerge when they are least expected.