Admitting \u201cI\u2019ve spent a lot of time on the sidelines over the last couple of years\u201d, Ponga is impatiently awaiting the green light to resume full training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone can feel the energy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew faces, both in the staff and players. That brings so much excitement, and I\u2019m just excited to get back on the paddock with all the boys and rip in and hopefully bring some good times next year for all our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Kalyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/d20da73b98f599e40d123aa1b711ceed3fe5d9b51ab0054af41ab205ed2eacfc.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Kalyn Ponga has had a terrible run with injury.Credit: NRL Photos<\/p>\n
Brown said it was good to blow the cobwebs out in his first hit-out since steering New Zealand to victory over Samoa in the Pacific Championships final<\/a> on November 9.<\/p>\n He has spent the past month settling into the Newcastle lifestyle and adjusting to fatherhood, after the arrival of baby son Marley.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t had much to do with Newcastle, but within a week [of moving] I knew I\u2019d made a good decision,\u201d the former Parramatta five-eighth said.<\/p>\n Having signed a 10-year deal reported to be worth $1.3 million a season, Brown\u2019s combination with the enigmatic Ponga will be crucial to Newcastle\u2019s hopes of rebounding from a disastrous season that delivered only six wins and cost former coach Adam O\u2019Brien his job.<\/p>\n Whether Brown plays halfback or his usual second-fiddle role shapes as the biggest decision coach Holbrook will make before their 2026 campaign kicks off.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been no chat around that just yet,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n \u201cJustin\u2019s been pretty good. He\u2019s not sure just yet. I\u2019m happy to play wherever, but I don\u2019t think the number is too important at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Brown\u2019s heroics for New Zealand earned him three man-of-the-match awards and a nomination for the Golden Boot, which was won by Kangaroos hooker Harry Grant<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to play like that for the Kiwis was good for my mental space \u2026 it\u2019s exciting that I can play that brand of footy, and hopefully I can continue that next year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n