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Kalyn Ponga is reportedly right at the top of the NRL’s highest paid players on $1.3 million per season at the Knights, but despite his significant pay packet and standing in the game, rumours of a code switch back to rugby union won’t go away.
The 26-year-old is one of the best custodians in rugby league with eight Origin games for Queensland under his belt but played rugby union in his youth for Brisbane GPS school Anglican Church Grammar before penning a contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Currently gearing up for Newcastle’s 2025 campaign, the Knights captain has again been linked with a change to the 15-man code.
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Speaking on The Aftermath podcast, former All Black Steven Donald got the rumour mill chugging once again.
“A lot of you messaged in saying, Kayln Ponga, Kalyn Ponga,” Donald said.
“Well yes, I must admit that in the last couple of weeks a little contact of mine in Australia has let it slip that he is under the impression that rugby union is still on the table for Kalyn Ponga.
“That’s the grapevine. It would be something, wouldn’t it?”
The Hurricanes were identified as a favourite to land the diminutive playmaker should he be lured over to rugby, given Ponga’s upbringing in Palmerston North, 140 kilometres from the Canes’ Wellington base.
In a NZTV interview from 2019, a young Ponga said pulling on the All Blacks jersey, one of the most revered in world sport, has always been a goal of his.
“Obviously yeah I think that would be a huge goal. One that if I was to come back to union I would want to tick,” Ponga said.
“But I’m not too sure what my future holds whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes. If I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper.”
Ponga might be eyeing the much anticipated 2027 Rugby World Cup, now just 18 months away, coinciding with his prime. He will be on the wrong side of 30 once the next World Cup rolls around.
Former Roosters stars Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Joseph Manu both recently made the change from the Bondi club to rugby with mixed results, while 24-year-old former Wallaby Carter Gordon made the opposite move, joining the Gold Coast Titans from the defunct Melbourne Rebels.
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