![\"Christian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/1794516994_613_635402f1698dc5687fb8f98be5c093fe76cbc56f.png\")
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November 12, 2026 \u2014 6:46pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n No gift articles left<\/p>\n You’ve used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.<\/p>\n Close<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Kalyn Ponga needed just 150 minutes of football, including ten minutes playing with a broken arm, to pip Reece Walsh for the prestigious Golden Boot award as the best player in international rugby league.<\/p>\n Ponga capped a remarkable season, in which he led Newcastle to the NRL grand final appearance, by clinching international rugby league\u2019s highest individual honour on Thursday night. The special moment was celebrated with the entire New Zealand squad in attendance in Brisbane.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old broke his arm against the Kangaroos in the World Cup opener last month, when the fullback and opposite Walsh were outstanding. Ponga later required 11 screws and a plate inserted in his arm, and returned three weeks later to star against Tonga in the semi-final.<\/p>\n Walsh scored a hat-trick for Australia in their semi against Samoa and has been outstanding for Australia, but few will begrudge Ponga getting the nod.<\/p>\n The battle between the two fullbacks will go a long way to deciding who wins the World Cup final at a packed Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.<\/p>\n With the NRL player market in overdrive after the opening of the free agency period on November 1, Ponga\u2019s decision to extend his deal with the Knights through to the end of 2030 back in April suddenly looks like the best piece of business done by a club this year.<\/p>\n Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook said he was unsurprised by his captain\u2019s quickfire return in time for the business end of the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great leader in his own way, and I\u2019m glad he\u2019s getting the accolades around his toughness now \u2013 the way he played for us in the finals series and what he\u2019s done getting back so quickly for New Zealand \u2013 and the way he puts his body on the line \u2013 I\u2019m glad he\u2019s getting the rewards he deserves,\u201d Holbrook said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing that [first stood out to me about Ponga] was how competitive he was, and how much he wants to win. His persona is how relaxed and calm he is, and that can be misinterpreted as a lack of competitiveness. But that\u2019s never been the case.<\/p>\n \u201cI admire how he goes after everything 100 miles an hour and wants to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article As for his all-important contract extension earlier this year, Holbrook said: \u201cAfter meeting him and working with him a short amount of time [earlier this year], I definitely wanted him to stay because I knew how important he was.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always been a great player. What we\u2019re talking about now though is his leadership has gone to another level, his toughness is being recognised, and he\u2019s such a great person as well. I\u2019m really glad he\u2019s staying.<\/p>\n \u201cI had to come in and do a good job myself, play my part and prove to him we were going to turn the club around. He wants success, we fell short in the grand final, I\u2019ll be happy if he gets success in the World Cup final.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters played down suggestions he alone knows the secret to getting the best out of Walsh, especially the mercurial fullback fell below his high standards with Brisbane this season.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a good relationship, and I just allow him to express himself,\u201d said Walters said of Walsh. \u201cIf you look at his last six games for Australia, if you include the Ashes, he\u2019s been pretty good. Look at the vision. The whole team supports him, they understand who he is and what he\u2019s about.\u201d<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Kalyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/1794516996_506_a59809f258f6e2121c8510912ced4c5741ec14e7.jpeg\")
Kalyn Ponga steps past Reece Walsh. in the World Cup opener.AP Photo\/Mark Baker<\/p>\n![\"Kalyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/1794516997_438_ed284a1cdb32415ce787fa8b88e68d9002c1a14b.jpeg\")
Kalyn Ponga has led New Zealand to the World Cup final.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Reece](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/1794517000_201_63177dd6b964addccfd14de6533a46c5ac97f05cf9df4d93410a62925825ec50.gif\")
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