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‘Didn’t even look at him as a 14’: Questions over Mal’s Ponga snub as ‘writing on the wall’ for Knights star

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  • October 7, 2024
‘Didn’t even look at him as a 14’: Questions over Mal’s Ponga snub as ‘writing on the wall’ for Knights star

Questions have been asked over Kalyn Ponga’s omission from the Kangaroos squad — despite the star fullback creating a stir when he declared himself unavailable and then backflipped.

Australian coach Mal Meninga announced his squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships on Monday, which included a couple of big calls including Ponga being left out.

It comes after the Knights fullback was in the headlines for ruling himself out of the tournament to devote all of his focus to his club preparations for 2025.

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As per the rules, players must be available for representative football unless injured or if they have a legitimate excuse.

Further to this, Ponga didn’t call Meninga to speak to him about the decision — an oversight which drew plenty of criticism.

Ultimately the 26-year-old backflipped on his decision after speaking to Meninga, but he still wasn’t included in the 21-man squad.

Instead, Meninga opted for four-time premiership-winner and NSW fullback Dylan Edwards, while Tom Trbojevic and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow were also included in the squad.

The decision to leave Ponga out raised a few eyebrows on the NRL 360 panel who believe he could’ve made a great bench utility.

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“We got beat 30-0 (in last year’s final), we’re up for a fight this time and they didn’t pick him to at least play 14 where he can come on and be more likely than any other player in the NRL to blow a game open, do something special whether it be at fullback, five-eighth, lock or wherever,” veteran journalist Phil Rothfield said.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta added: “I thought that was interesting that Mal said ‘we looked at him as a specialist fullback and that was it’ — didn’t even look at him as a 14. I would’ve looked at him as a 14.”

And rugby league legend Gorden Tallis said: “You can guarantee we’re going to want him in 2026 (World Cup).”

Anasta asked the panel whether Ponga was being punished for initially making himself unavailable. News Corp journalist Brent Read believes it could’ve contributed to the decision but

“I think the writing was on the wall when Kalyn came out and declared (he’s unavailable),” he said.

“I don’t know if he’s being punished because he didn’t want to be there… I think (his declaration) as contributed to it

“When he made that decision, he spoke to Mal and they cleared the air but Dylan Edwards was the first choice fullback and then I think after that if he wasn’t going to be the first choice then they’re going to look in other directions — at someone who wanted to be there.”

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Meninga’s decision to go all-in on Edwards means James Tedesco was dropped as captain and fullback — despite finishing just one point off the Dally M medal.

Read believes it was the right move by Meninga in preparation for the World Cup.

“Dylan Edwards is obviously the form fullback of the comp, he played Origin this year and starred for NSW,” he said.

“Mal’s got to take a view to the 2026 World Cup as well — Teddy’s not going to be around for that — so I think he’s made the choice he had to make.

“He’s got a back-up fullback in the squad in Tom Trbojevic so there’s just no room for ‘Teddy’. It’s the correct decision.

“I’ve got to say though the last time he missed a Test match was in 2017. He’s been amazing for Australia and deserves a lot of credit.”

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Meanwhile, State of Origin captains Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans were also overlooked. The latter replaced Nathan Cleary in the No.7 jersey last year after the Panthers star was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Cleary is once again unavailable due to injury but this time Meninga has gone with Mitchell Moses as his replacement after the Eels half guided NSW to an Origin series win.

“I feel a little bit sorry for Cherry-Evans,” Rothfield said.

“He’s had 21 Test matches, he’s always been reliable.

“Mitch Moses (is a) great rugby league player, great halfback, magnificent job in Origin but has not played footy for months (due to a biceps injury).”

But Read reminded the panel that Meninga “obviously has to look to 2026”.

Anasta asked if he thinks this is Meninga “handing over the batten,” to which Read said “yes” given Cherry-Evans will unlikely be playing representative football in two year’s time.

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