Ponga Appreciation Thread.

[aqua_duck]

The irony in ex-players saying he’s cheapened the jersey because he doesn’t want to play for Australia, and then in the next breath saying that he should have just faked an injury instead to get out of the tournament. His crime is basically telling the truth.

Poor foresight from Newcastle though- they’ve tried to cash in with fans on Ponga’s sentiment by promoting that his focus is on the club and 2025, but completely overlooked the flip side and backlash. Makes you wondered who ultimately pushed for and OK’ed the media release.

To be fair dozens and I mean dozens of players have done so in the past and not a single one of them faced even close to the same scrutiny as Ponga, what they underestimated was the level of Paul Crawley’s hatred toward Ponga and the club and the influence Fox and News Limited have in driving their agendas

 

[Knight Tales]

The general fans sentiment on socials is KP has outed the hypocrisy of the RL media in a massive way. He has huge support. That their agendas are now clear as day. I think the RLPA will get involved if a ban comes in. The precedent was set a long time ago. These muppets invent it as they go.

 

[Burwood]

It appears the NRL have given Ponga a 4pm deadline to make himself available for selection or he’ll face sanctions.

This is becoming quite entertaining- who’ll blink first?

 

[Woody90]

It appears the NRL have given Ponga a 4pm deadline to make himself available for selection or he’ll face sanctions.

This is becoming quite entertaining- who’ll blink first?

He should just make himself available as surely Mal wouldn’t pick him now anyway knowing he doesn’t want to play. Almost a Ben Hunt situation lol

 

[Zoidberg]

Make himself available, oh no, hamstring tightness. Better pull out.

 

[Yosh]

What a farce.

 

[Zoidberg]

Wonder what happened.

 

[perverse]

It really goes to show how insecure and precious about the international game the media and the NRL are. If it was strong, then this would barely be a footnote. Next man up and get on with it.

Instead we have... well Yosh used the right word. This is a farce. All this grandstanding and posturing for a few bruised egos. Literally everyone knows that every player with a bit of a "niggle" sitting out rep duties at any given moment is just saving face from this exact kind of ridiculous blowup.

It's nice to see that most fans can see through the bs. I haven't seen too much commentary from people outside of the rugby league/media bubble giving much of a shit about this at all. It's the pinnacle of manufactured outrage.

Like here we have an out and out superstar of our game that hasn't played a full season in god knows how long, if ever, due to the strain on his body. He wants to freshen up and make sure he's ready for 2025 and beyond... and we get this nonsense because he told THE TRUTH instead of buillshitting everyone to placate their fragile f**king egos.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

At least Mal gets it

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

It's nice to see that most fans can see through the bs. I haven't seen too much commentary from people outside of the rugby league/media bubble giving much of a shit about this at all. It's the pinnacle of manufactured outrage.

Only bogans that don't have a mind of their own
"He should never play rep footy ever again".

Lol what a joke.

 

[perverse]

At least Mal gets it View attachment 94584

Surely this puts it all to bed right? Right...?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Gotta love it when a satire page has more common sense than the entire Murdoch media

https://www.betootaadvocate.com/headlines/nrl-star-criticised-for-choosing-take-the-nrl-seriously/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFh73ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSRedEZr31vETti6wIkUesUFG3MdkTvtd1Yqr9U7pW-DVt_GaQqJ7yfclw_aem_9NOs_uqZs-oKL-3Y5svrEQ

 

[Apey]

I get the vibe his Dad (and maybe he himself) wants him to play for NZ but he also wants to play QLD and players can't do both. Yet. It'll change in the future.

 

[Woody90]

Surely this puts it all to bed right? Right...?

You’d think so but it definitely won’t lol

 

[aqua_duck]

He should just go do a few lines cop a one game ban and be done with it

 

[Frederick]

Wonder what happened.

The Broncos provided a nice distraction

 

[Zoidberg]

The Broncos provided a nice distraction

Just saw that. Damn.

 

[mozza91]

He should just go do a few lines cop a one game ban and be done with it

Could beat up his missus or terrorise an American family and he’ll treated as a hero.

 

[Burwood]

Looks like Ponga is making himself available after all- got to admit, kind of disappointed he didn’t hold out and call their bluff.

 

[Woody90]

Looks like Ponga is making himself available after all- got to admit, kind of disappointed he didn’t hold out and call their bluff.

Very much doubt Mal will pick him knowing he doesn’t want to play. Makes more sense to make himself available when he won’t get picked anyway than risk having to sit out games next season.