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Adam O’Brien has confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in the NRL.
Debate over how to correctly use Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga will continue to rage but O’Brien has confirmed the Queensland fullback has been training as a five-eighth since late last year with a view to starting in the No.6 jersey in Round 1.
As soon as concussion problems sidelined Ponga late in the season, O’Brien revealed the 24-year-old immediately began preparing to make a transition into the halves.
“When Kalyn was ruled out for the end of the (2022) season with his HIA issues, the decision was made then,” O’Brien told SEN Radio on Tuesday.
“If we were ever going to move Kalyn to six, now was the time. Essentially, we’ve had five months to change his training program and he’s obviously put some size on.
“He’s been training at six all summer and he has been doing a really good job at it.
“We’ve had a number of guys train (at fullback) over the summer such as young Bailey Hodgson who is finally injury free.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
“He’s trained there most of the summer alongside guys like Dane Gagai and Tyson Gamble has spent some time back there.
“Strengthening that fullback spot remains a priority for us.”
Noise also continues to grow that Sharks speedster Lachie Miller will end up at the Knights to wear the No.1 jersey.
Ponga will link with former Wests Tigers halfback Jackson Hastings, who has recently joined the club on a three-year deal, and O’Brien believes will be the perfect partner for the skipper.
“(Hastings) will make the transition for Kalyn to six so much easier,” said O’Brien.
“He knows the game well and he’s a general so he will steer the team around, he’s very vocal and he’s very clear about what he wants those to do around him.
“That allows Kalyn to be himself and doesn’t bog him down with a lot of responsibility of him being a director.
“I want Jackson to steer the team around and get Kalyn the ball in the space that we need to get him in.
“They’re working really well together at the moment.”
There were big expectations for Ponga when he first joined the club in 2018, but has come under much scrutiny for not living up to his recent million-dollar per season price tag.
The Knights will be hoping the positional change brings the best out of their star, especially after the club has produced very little the past few seasons.
Their first trial will be against Cronulla at Central Coast Stadium on February 10 and they kick off the regular season against the Warriors in Wellington on March 3.