Kalyn Ponga's shock Kangaroos declaration as NRL players make telling call on Dylan Edwards

Kalyn Ponga has forfeited a potential Kangaroos jersey in order to focus on delivering the Knights an elusive NRL premiership. On Tuesday, the fullback notified Newcastle officials that he did not wish to play in the end-of-year Tests for the Kangaroos, as it would reduce his NRL pre-season.

The decision comes after Ponga also made himself unavailable for State of Origin last season, after returning from a long stint on the sidelines following a concussion. And while there are no such injury concerns this time, Ponga is desperate to return for the start of Newcastle's pre-season in November alongside his teammates, as the club looks to build on back-to-back finals appearances.

"I want to win a comp, for me anything short of that, isn't success," Ponga said on Tuesday. "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.

"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 earnt that yet. That's why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals."

Ponga missed two-and-a-half month this year through a foot injury. But when he returned from the layoff he lifted the side to what was an unlikely finals berth with 50 tackle busts and seven try assists in his last six games.

NRL players name Dylan Edwards as the best fullback

The Queenslander's withdrawal means James Tedesco's chances of holding onto his spot as Australia's fullback and captain for the Pacific Championships have been significantly boosted. However, many believe that Dylan Edwards should instead get the chance in the No.1 jersey.

Edwards replaced Tedesco in the NSW State of Origin side this year and was outstanding for the Blues in their series-clinching Games 2 and 3 victories - after being ruled out of the opener with injury. Many saw it as a changing of the guard moment and Tedesco even admitted that his time representing the Blues at Origin level may be a thing of the past.

And this week Edwards was voted by his peers this week as the best fullback in the NRL in a further representation that he deserves the chance to be the Kangaroos No.1. Reece Walsh took out the honour last year but has had an indifferent season with the Broncos in 2024, while Tedesco and Edwards have both been key to their teams' progression to the preliminary finals.

While Edwards has been outstanding in 2024, many believed the Roosters No.1 would likely receive the honour as he has been outstanding for the Roosters this season after playing in a whopping 24 games for the Chooks, scoring 17 tries, averaging 201 running metres and producing 24 try assists.

He also put in a man-of-the-match two-try display in last weekend's semi-final victory over Manly to set up a prelim showdown with the Storm in Melbourne on Friday night. And the Roosters veteran is also well liked and respected across the NRL.

But Tedesco has once again been pipped by Edwards after being overlooked for selection in the Rugby League Players' Association's Dream Team for 2024. All contracted NRL players are able to vote for one player in each position to make up the dream team, with one impact player also selected to make up the 14-man squad.

And according to his peers, Edwards is now officially the best fullback in the game after a superb, albeit injury-affected season for Penrith. Edwards has played six less games than Tedesco and also trails his rival fullback in several key areas such as tries (10) and try assists (7). But Edwards is averaging an extraordinary 228 running metres, in a perfect illustration of his tireless workrate for the three-time reigning premiers.

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Tedesco has previously been picked at fullback in the Dream Teams in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022, before Walsh claimed the award last year. Edwards is one of four Penrith players voted onto the 2024 Dream Team, alongside Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo. But it's his selection ahead of Tedesco that could be the most telling, with both star fullbacks battling to win selection in Mal Meninga's Kangaroos side for the Pacific Championships, starting in October.

Cameron Smith picks Dylan Edwards as Kangaroos No.1

But despite Tedesco being the incumbent Kangaroos No.1 and captain, NRL great Cameron Smith confidently declared, “I’d go with Edwards" at fullback for the Kangaroos' end-of-season Tests. I think there's a clear decision made when (Blues coach) Michael Maguire went with Dylan Edwards for the NSW side,” Smith told SEN Breakfast with Vossy & Brandy.

"When Edwards was fit again, he took back that jersey and was able to go on and win the series for NSW." Smith conceded that Meninga is a very loyal man and could be reluctant to replace Tedesco when his Kangaroos captain has enjoyed such an outstanding season.

But Smith also noted that Meninga may need to shake things up after last year's 30-0 defeat to New Zealand in the final of the Pacific Championships. "Off the back of last year's loss... I think he (Meninga) wants to go with what is the best possible line up for Australia," Smith added.

The 2024 Pacific Championship series kicks off in Brisbane on October 18th, with Australia playing Tonga first up before a showdown with the Kiwis on October 27. The final is slated for November 10 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium.

with agencies