Newcastle have moved quickly to squash speculation about the future of skipper Kalyn Ponga after it was reported that the club were willing to let him walk as they lost patience with the star.
While Ponga was on the field for Sunday’s Round 6 clash with St George Illawarra in Wollongong, a report was published by The Daily Telegraph which claimed the Knights had taken their deal off the table due to the increasing interference from Ponga’s father Andre.
In the post-match presser, both coach Adam O’Brien and Ponga himself spoke on the matter, with O’Brien calling the reports ‘ridiculous’.
“I had breakfast this morning and we were signing (Cameron) Munster. Fair dinkum,” said the exasperated coach.
“It’s never been brought up to me as head coach. I don’t know what the story is, I got it ten seconds before I walked in here.
“It’s news to me. Our CEO isn’t even in the country, he’s in Hawaii. I woke up to Munster coming, so we’re keeping him (Ponga) and now Munster, bloody hell.”
The Knights captain was a little more circumspect, asking for space to make his call.
“I know you guys (the media) want to know what I’m doing,” he said. “I respect you and I hope that you respect that I want to make this decision on my terms and announce it on my terms.”
Ponga is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2024 but has options in his favour for the final two years of the deal. The Knights had reportedly agreed to a new five-year contract and wanted to announce it last week but were told by his father that he wanted to wait.
The Dolphins have made no secret of their desire to land a face of the franchise for their debut year in 2023 with Ponga and his Queensland teammate Cameron Munster at the top of their hit list.
Knights Immortal Andrew Johns, on Channel Nine commentary during the half-time break at WIN Stadium, said he would be surprised if the club had told Ponga the deal was no longer on offer.
“I don’t believe it, simple as that. The Knights want to keep Kalyn at all costs. I know there’s a process at the moment. We all know the Dolphins are chasing him. I just simpy don’t believe it, I don’t think the Knights would pull that extension,” he said.
His brother, another former Knights halves legend Matthew Johns, said on Fox League that he thought Newcastle were trying to hurry Ponga up into signing the deal.
He added that Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett chasing Ponga makes him nervous and if the fullback did leave, he’d go after Cameron Munster with a lucrative offer.
Ponga’s form has been below his usual high standards this season as he has been hampered by a nagging knee injury, though his performance against the Dragons was his best of the year.
“It’s disruptive for the Newcastle Knights,” former premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan said on Fox League. “For Newcastle, I hope he stays. But it does sound like it’s dragging on and on and on. We thought last week there was going to be an announcement that he’d extended and was gonna stay and then all of a sudden there’s a backflip there.”
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
“Paradoxical juxtaposition” = complete nonsense. One would logically cancel out the other.
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
And yet everything you parrot is Murdoch press.
Pete
Guest
Might take the easy money playing for a Japanese rugby club 1/1.5m a year...awesome life style change wouldn't that put everything in a spin.
EastOfDivide
Guest
No player is that special. That they can’t be replaced. At the money that Ponga asks, you could get a couple of good players. He’s often injured, doesn’t put in his best effort that often & obviously gets special treatment from the club. When it comes to your new contract negotiations. If Newcastle hasn’t got any very good young fullbacks coming through? Some other clubs would have a couple. Who’d be looking for an opportunity to play first grade. There’s your best answer Newcastle!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Tell yourself that if it helps, Red Rob. But get used to seeing sky blue over you for a very, very long time. :laughing:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
We see what we want to see :silly:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
The paradoxical whowhat? Settle down with the big words there glory. This is a league blog you know.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
For sure and for certain
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Bonus points for the paradoxical juxtaposition and the alliteration using the letter "c", ZBS. :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
So glad you cleared that up, Phil. :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Ah yes. I remember when journalism used to be about integrity and reporting the facts not generating clickbait for a 24 hour media cycle.
Phil
Roar Rookie
ZBS, I'm not entirely certain about your uncertainty over the certainty regarding the uncertainty of a certain level of uncertainty over this contract.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Did you think it was maroon, Red Rob? #BlueDawnDynasty
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
The only certainty to me is the uncertainty about the certainty of this uncommon contract continuity conundrum. I'll only believe it when Braith confirms it
Tom G
Roar Rookie
True
steveng
Roar Rookie
Or the sky was above us
Phil
Roar Rookie
There is some scepticism over this story. At first I thought it was the real deal but after reading some other sites this could be a News Ltd beat-up. Maybe by tomorrow the truth of it will come out one way or the other. To me it's a wait and see.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Regardless of the truth I’d love to know what $value Bennie puts on Ponga’s signature. He’s one of the few coaches around who would get the best out of Ponga.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Well something has happened today ! Ponga played like a million dollar player for the first time in two seasons ! 29 runs / 235 metres , a try , a try assist . Where has that been all year ? Must need to impress Wayne ?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:shocked: :shocked: :shocked: