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Kalyn Ponga cops embarrassing new blow after backflipping on Kangaroos availability

Ponga has been left out of Mal Meninga's 21-man Kangaroos squad.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·4-min read

Kalyn Ponga has been shockingly overlooked by Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos squad following an intense saga surrounding his representative availability. The Kangaroos coach named a massively overhauled Australian squad for the Pacific Championships on Monday, with Ponga, James Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic all snubbed.

But it was the Knights fullback's omission that shocked much of the NRL world given the massive deal that was made over him announcing he would forego playing for his country to focus on the Knights' pre-season. After making that decision Ponga was threatened with sanctions by the NRL if he didn’t make himself available for the Pacific Championships and therefore backflipped on his decision declaring he was ready and willing to be selected.

Kalyn Ponga has been overlooked by Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos squad. Image: Getty
Kalyn Ponga has been overlooked by Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos squad despite declaring he was available. Image: Getty

The Knights No.1 initially said while he wasn't injured he wanted to put his full attention into a pre-season with Newcastle. "I want to win a comp, for me, anything short of that isn't a success. My focus has never shifted from wanting to win a premiership with the Knights, that has been my goal since I joined the club in 2018 and continues to be my focus." Ponga said in a statement on the Knights website.

"When I'm done, I want to look back at my career with a positive reflection, including people saying he was a great signing and represented our community to the best of his ability. For now, I don't feel like I have earned that yet. That's why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals."

The Knights were contacted by the NRL over the matter, with the league outlining the club and Ponga's requirement to be available for the Kangaroos selection. They warned Ponga and Newcastle that if he didn't make himself available he and the club would face potential sanctions such as suspension.

Ponga announced after speaking to Meninga that he had changed his mind and was keen to pull on the green and gold. However, in a brutal blow despite making himself available Ponga missed out on being selected, meaning he will return to training the rest of the Knights squad - what he initially wanted before a big deal was made over his availability. And the NRL world was quick to react to the cruel move.

Arguably even more shocking than the omission of Ponga was that of Tedesco being dumped as Australian Test captain. Meninga revealed Penrith's Isaah Yeo will take over the role with Tedesco left out of the squad altogether for the first time since his debut in 2018.

Tedesco's non-selection comes after he lost the NSW State of Origin captaincy earlier this year, with his Blues replacement at fullback, Dylan Edwards, picked in Meninga's squad. Considering Tedesco's incredible season for the Roosters - in which he finished second in Dally M voting - many thought Tedesco would retain his fullback spot. However, after Australia was handed an embarrassing loss at the hands of New Zealand Meninga has gone with a new-look side for the Pacific Championships.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: James Tedesco of the Roosters warms up ahead of the NRL Semi Final match between Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
James Tedesco has been dropped for the Kangaroos squad. Image: Getty

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“It was a difficult conversation,” Meninga said about Tedesco being dropped. “It’s a bit of an evolution for the team on the back of what happened in the Pacific Championships last year.

“With that in the back of our minds (we made the call to drop him). Origin was really important for discussion across the selection table and form into the finals as well. It was a difficult conversation, but bear in mind that Teddy played Game 1 for the NSW Blues, and then Games 2 and 3 Dylan was the fullback. We chose based on Origin form.” Mitchell Moses is expected to be the halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary and Cherry-Evans, while Tom Dearden will likely start in the No.6 jersey.

KANGAROOS SQUAD: Mitch Barnett, Matt Burton, Bradman Best, Patrick Carrigan, Xavier Coates, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tom Dearden, Dylan Edwards, Harry Grant (vc), Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax, Liam Martin, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Murray, Reece Robson, Lindsay Smith, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Trboejvic, Isaah Yeo (c).

with AAP