Kalyn Ponga’s future at the Knights remains cloudy, even after the star fullback’s meeting with new coach Justin Holbrook.
Ponga is one of the highest paid players in the NRL and is under contract with Newcastle until the end of 2027.
However, there has been a raft of speculation over his future with Ponga linked to the Roosters as well as a possible switch to rugby union.
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The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio revealed on NRL 360 that Ponga has met with Holbrook and was even present at Newcastle HQ when the new coach was announced to the media.
“What we’ve garnered out of Justin catching up with Kalyn, only time will tell because that’s how Kalyn rolls. He sort of walks to the beat of his own drum,” Riccio said.
“He’s (Ponga) making all the indications that all is rosy and that he’ll be there next year. He’s starting pre-season training. He was at training when Justin went up to Newy last week but the thing is, we just don’t know (whether he’ll stay).”
In an interview with the SMH, Holbrook expressed his excitement of having the chance to coach Ponga, who is in the forefront of his plans going forward.
“He is right at the centre of it,” Holbrook said of Ponga.
“It’s exciting to know Dylan (Brown) is coming, you’ve got Kalyn there and you’ve got Fletcher Sharpe and Sandon Smith has signed as well.
“You’ve got a lot of exciting players to play and fit in.”
Kalyn Ponga.Source: Supplied
While the Roosters are the red-hot favourites to land Ponga if the fullback leaves the Knights and stays in the NRL, there was a whisper last week that the Bulldogs were interested.
However, Riccio poured cold water on that report, even despite the uncertainty around the Bulldogs’ spine, in particular Matt Burton.
“Iff Burton is on the outer and they’ve got to try and fit three into two and they don’t have a fullback. If they shifted Connor Tracey on and Burton, then they can buy Ponga,” NRL 360 host Braith Anasta put to Riccio.
“It makes sense but all my queries suggest that Ponga isn’t heading there,” Riccio responded before adding if Ponga wanted to exit the Knights, the club probably won’t stand in his way.
“If you’ve got a player who doesn’t want to be there, do you fight to keep him? If push came to shove and Kalyn said he was looking elsewhere, and at his salary, I think you move him on.”