Kalyn Ponga is firming to take the field for New Zealand against Tonga just three weeks on from breaking his arm in the Kiwis’ opening World Cup match.
The 28-year-old was surprisingly named on the extended bench for Saturday’s semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium and will potentially be catapulted into the starting team if he gets the all-clear from team physios.
Ponga played for more than 20 minutes with his broken arm in New Zealand’s narrow 24-22 loss to the Kangaroos before undergoing surgery in the hope of returning in time for the final.
While that looked like a tall task at the time, he incredibly now appears to be a strong chance of playing against Tonga a week earlier than anticipated.
And his former Knights teammate and Kiwi centre Dane Gagai is backing the Newcastle star to take the field.
“That’ll just come down to the boxes he’ll have to tick with the physios and stuff, but one thing that’s never in question is Kalyn’s toughness, and I don’t think he gets enough credit or praise for it,” Gagai told reporters on Tuesday.
“Some of the games he’s played with injury. It was only maybe a year or two ago with his AC and getting that injected, but he’ll put his head in most places that people won’t put their hands.
“So I’ve got no doubt he’ll do everything he can to make sure he can take that field. It’s just a case of whether he can tick those boxes and he’ll know whether he’s capable of playing or not.
“He won’t put himself before the team, but we’d obviously love to have him out there.”
The Kiwi No.1 was also seen training drills at fullback on Tuesday in a huge sign he could be given the all-clear.
And it has left fans both stunned and excited over the prospect of his return this weekend.
“Kalyn Ponga named on Kiwis extended list for semi-final vs Tonga. Unbelievable as that scenario seems,” NZ journalist Michael Burgess wrote on X.
“Ponga and Crossland definitely start on game day,” Todd Kelly Jr commented.
“Unbelievable recovery,” another said.
But it isn’t just Ponga that could be brought into the team come Saturday evening, with Phoenix Crossland named on the extended bench after serving his four-game suspension for a hip-drop tackle that broke Nathan Cleary’s ankle.
And Gagai said his return would be a huge boost.
“He’s come in a bit later into camp, but even though he wasn’t playing, he’s always himself and brings a lot of energy,” Gagai said.
“He’s awesome to have around the place. It’s going to be good to be able to chuck this jersey on with him and nice to know that the game against Penrith wasn’t our last together.
“So I’m definitely looking forward to that and I’m super happy for him.”
Originally published as ‘Unbelievable’: Kalyn Ponga leaves NRL world speechless as World Cup comeback firms