His Newcastle Knights teammate Dane Gagai, who was part of Australia’s 2017 World Cup-winning side, also took advantage of the rule changes and was picked in Stacey Jones’ 23-man squad for the World Cup.
Ponga said pulling on the black jersey for the first time felt right, with his connection to his Māori culture growing stronger as he has got older.
“It feels right,” Ponga said. “I’m excited about this whole experience. To go out there and represent where I’m from, my family, my culture and the country is special.
“I’ve always felt this was the right decision. As I got older, my sister was influencing me, my family was influencing me and the connection to my culture has only grown stronger.
“I’m grateful I have this opportunity to represent my people. It’s going to be a proud moment. My family will probably have tears in their eyes. Doing the haka and everything before the game, they’ll be proud.”
Ponga said he grew up dreaming of representing the All Blacks, but believes pulling on the Kiwis jersey is as special.
Aside from the nines tournament, Ponga has yet to represent Australia or New Zealand in international rugby league and said the opportunity has come at the right time in his career, even though he once feared it might never happen.
“It’s the pinnacle of rugby league and to do that now, I feel like the time’s right in terms of my career as well,” Ponga said. “I’m excited to be on this stage. It all feels like timing’s a big thing.
“I didn’t want to pull on a jersey that I wasn’t – not that I wouldn’t be proud, but I just feel like this is me.
“I’m just grateful that this opportunity is here. I’m excited to make the most of it and get out there and represent the people.”
Kalyn Ponga trains with the Kiwis as they prepare for the Rugby League World Cup. Photo / Photosport
Despite the personal significance of his first Kiwis campaign, Ponga knows there is plenty of work ahead, with the side aiming to win their first World Cup since 2008.
The team has been in Australia for two days and Ponga is working to learn the plays and combinations before Thursday’s tournament opener against the Kangaroos in Sydney.
He is expected to feature at fullback, the position he plays for the Knights, although there is a chance he could shift to five-eighth to accommodate Keano Kini at the back and allow Kodi Nikorima or Te Maire Martin to provide cover at hooker, with Jeremy Marshall-King the only specialist hooker named in the squad.
Ponga heads into the World Cup after one of the best seasons of his NRL career, having scored six tries, assisted 14 and averaged 171m per game to help the Knights reach their first grand final in 25 years.
However, they fell short and lost 19-18 to the Sydney Roosters, but Ponga said he hasn’t had much time to dwell on the defeat.
“You go from one goal to the other and you’re constantly chasing what’s ahead of you,” Ponga said.
“You don’t really have much time to reflect and sort of sit stagnant for too long
“The disappointment of the grand final, I got over that over Monday and now it’s just excitement about the next five weeks and this journey and this experience.”
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.