Former Warriors forward Sione Faumuina says he knows who the source was behind the leaked image of Newcastle skipper Kalyn Ponga, which has sent the NRL rumour mill into overdrive. And he’s questioned the intentions of the unnamed individual responsible after suggesting they knew there was nothing untoward about the Knights superstar speaking with Warriors general manager of recruitment Andrew McFadden over the weekend.
The meeting has been framed as fresh proof that Ponga wants to leave the Knights and is exploring his options elsewhere. That’s despite Newcastle’s marquee star being tied down until the end of 2027 and releasing a statement earlier this year to declare his commitment to the club and intention of seeing out his $1.4 million a season contract.
Ponga has frequently been linked with a move to the Roosters when his lucrative deal with the Knights runs out, but he’s unable to speak with rival clubs until November 1 next year. The 27-year-old has also been mentioned as a potential target for New Zealand rugby and the cashed-up R360 competition, as well as the Perth Bears.
Explosive new claims have been made about the leaked Kalyn Ponga photo and the truth about the meeting with the Warriors recruitment boss. Pic: Fox League/Getty
Ex-Warriors star makes claim about leaked Kalyn Ponga image
However, discussion around Ponga’s future reignited over the weekend when he was photographed in talks with the Warriors recruitment boss at an Auckland sports bar owned and operated by the New Zealand club. News Corp revealed that Ponga and his father Andre were invited there for a speaking engagement involving Faumuina.
It was there that Ponga happened to bump into McFadden, and their picture was taken after a conversation ensued between the pair. But Faumuina claimed on social media that he knows exactly who took the photo and questioned the motives behind the unnamed person. He said they knew there was nothing suspicious about Ponga’s conversation and put the story down to an ‘agenda’.
Debate reignites about Kalyn Ponga’s future with Newcastle
League journalist Michael Chammas says while the Ponga meeting might have been a ‘coincidence’, he believes it’s further proof that the Newcastle skipper is ‘exploring other options’. Chammas told Triple M: “I find it interesting he is in New Zealand, because there’s talk about him going to play New Zealand rugby.
“I think it’s just a coincidence, but I don’t know. How long have I been going on about Kalyn Ponga wanting to leave Newcastle for? He has been too afraid to take the jump. No one has moved on this yet, he wants out, guarantee you he wants to explore other options. He is exploring other options.
“Maybe he is afraid to leave the safety net of the $1.4 million and the life he has in Newcastle. I can tell you now, he definitely is thinking ‘is the grass greener elsewhere?’. I just do think it’s a coincidence with the Warriors though.”
Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has been long linked with a move to the Roosters as well as a potential switch to New Zealand rugby. Pic: Getty
Ponga put speculation that he wanted to leave the Knights to bed in July, and expressed his optimism about what the club was building towards. “Committed to the end of 2027. Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me,” he wrote on Instagram at the time.
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Newcastle will be looking for a fresh start under Justin Holbrook next year after signing him to succeed Adam O’Brien as coach. The Knights will welcome $13 million signing Dylan Brown, who starred in New Zealand’s Pacific Cup triumph. And they’ve also recruited Roosters playmaker Sandon Smith, in what could be an exciting new halves partnership to complement the attacking threat from the likes of Ponga and young gun Fletcher Sharpe.