Kalyn Ponga

Kalyn Ponga off to Canada for treatment amid concussions

The Knights co-captain's immediate playing future has been in serious doubt since he knocked himself out attempting a tackle early in the round-two win over Wests Tigers.

The concussion was Ponga's fourth in 10 months and provided a final push for the NRL to change its head-injury protocols, mandating an 11-day lay-off for any player who suffers a head knock.

NRL star Kalyn Ponga claims ignorance of alcohol impacts on concussion

Ponga fronted media on Monday for the first time since being captured walking out of a pub toilet cubicle with Newcastle teammate Kurt Mann last August.

The Knights captain insisted that Mann had come to his aid after he fell ill from something he ate, despite his father Andre revealing at the time the pair had been drinking after Ponga purchased a house.

Ponga and Mann were both cleared by an NRL integrity unit investigation and drug test, but questions lingered over Ponga's drinking while sitting out the end of the season with concussions.

Ponga's surgery call delayed as Maroons brace for withdrawal

A final call on Ponga's availability for the Maroons will be delayed until after the gun No.1 has a labral tear in his left shoulder assessed by a specialist, with Newcastle players undergoing end-of-season medicals on Tuesday.

Queensland are yet to name the initial members of their 27-man Origin squad and they will likely make that announcement later this week.

Titans livewire AJ Brimson looms as the most likely fullback replacement option if Ponga is unavailable, while Cameron Munster and Moses Mbye have also had plenty of experience at the back in previous NRL seasons.

NRL star Kalyn Ponga reportedly offered chance to play for All Blacks at 2023 World Cup

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the 21-year-old will sign a four-year deal with the Newcastle Knights, worth a staggering $4.5m.

However according to the report, the fullback’s new contract will include an option that would allow him to try his hand at rugby and attempt to crack the All Blacks’ side for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Born in Western Australia, Ponga spent five years in New Zealand from the age of eight years old until 13 and has Maori heritage through his Kiwi parents.

Ponga, Moses named for WC Nines

The Newcastle Knights' Ponga and Parramatta Eels' Moses are yet to represent Australia, but are set to play their parts in Sydney on October 18-19.

Moses' Eels team-mate Clint Gutherson and the Brisbane Broncos' David Fifita are also part of the squad.

Australia head coach Mal Meninga is excited by the players he has at his disposal for the tournament.

Congrats to Eels Clint Gutherson, Mitch Moses and Nathan Brown who have been named in Australia’s Nines squad!

Ponga to play fullback for Cowboys

Matt Scott, Antonio Winterstein and Lachlan Coote were all injured, with scans revealing captain Matt Scott's season is over due to a damaged ACL. 

Winterstein injury could give Ponga chance

Ponga is certain to come into calculations for the Cowboys' season-opener against Canberra after Antonio Winterstein came off early in his team's NRL trial win over the Wests Tigers.

Ponga overlooked for Cowboys' final trial

Green named an 18-man squad to travel to Sydney with the same backline that was present for most of 2016, including Kyle Feldt, Antonio Winterstein, Justin O'Neill and Kane Linnett to go with incumbent halves Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston.

Kalyn Ponga signs with Knights

The 18-year-old fullback, who played two NRL matches during the 2016 finals series, was a member of the 2016 NYC Team of the Year and is rated one of the most promising young players in rugby league.

Kalyn Ponga is about to become the richest teenager in NRL history

According to The Courier Mail, the NRL got involved in negotiations for the talented 18-year-old once it became apparent that the AFL’s Brisbane Lions joined the race for the two-game NRL veteran, alongside five other NRL clubs.

Clearly, NRL HQ isn’t keen on letting another potential superstar depart for a rival code.

Although the Cowboys will have money to spend with the departure of James Tamou and the sudden retirement of Ben Hannant, they couldn’t match the Knights’ mammoth offer.