Will Kalyn Ponga surpass Billy Slater as the greatest fullback ever?

[BennyV]

Can this just become the standard unit of measurement for ranking football players?

At least it's quantifiable.

I like it.

“Dugan is 2L of Matt Johns Semen better than Hayne”.

 

[Rhino_NQ]

Depends who it is though. Standard plodder that for some reason gets constantly brought up rep honours = litres. Ponga = swimming pools

 

[Hoofhearted]

Reports are circulating that Ponga will sign for the All Blacks in 2021. If true, he will never approach the record or reputation of James Tedesco, let alone Billy Slater.

Doesnt sound like his old man is keen on Rah Rah, this from an article today about his future.

There’s also the potential lure of code-hopping to rugby union to try to play for the All Blacks, but it’s an idea the family once knocked on the head despite recent attempts from rugby clubs to get a gauge of his future plans.

"Kalyn could play AFL, he could play rugby," Andre said.

"In the early days we had that conversation before moving to the Knights, and back then we believed rugby was an easy option for him. Rugby wasn’t a challenge.

"But I’m sure all this talk about his future, I’m probably going to get phone conversations from people in rugby sooner rather than later."

 

[mozza91]

Dre Ponga is right. Union is shit.

 

[Captain Apollo]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/14/knights-issue-hands-off-edict-to-rugby-union-over-ponga/

 

[VirgilTracy]

Shouldn't surprise anyone about RU - they're in a complete mess. What's weird is that Ponga has only indicated he'd like to play for the All Blacks, not the Wallabies (although lets face it to get a game for the Wallabies all you have to do is get into one of the state teams for more than half a season).

Maybe they'll try to get Ponga to 'retire' from RL, like Sale did in England with Denny Solomona (former Storm reserve grader). Utterly without shame as well.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Ponga statement from Knights and NRL
Newcastle Knights
Fri 14 Jun 2019, 01:59 PM

Newcastle Knights CEO Philip Gardner today reiterated that Kalyn Ponga had two and a half years left on his contract and was committed to the Knights.

It comes following speculation today about Ponga’s future at the Newcastle Knights and in Rugby League.

“It’s not surprising that rugby union have identified Kalyn as a talent they wish to get their hands on,” Mr Gardner said.

“What does come as a surprise is that an official from their code would personally phone our talent despite the fact he has several seasons left to run on his contract.

“It is inappropriate for any contact to be made from rugby union – or anyone else for that matter - and it is extremely disappointing.

“The reality is Kalyn is under contract for another two and a half years with the option for a third year.

“Kalyn is a superb talent and quality person. He is a player we see being part of the Knights fabric for years to come. I can assure not only Knights supporters, but fans of the game, we will be doing everything in our power to sign Kalyn long-term when the time is right.”

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said: “Kalyn is a wonderful talent and a fine ambassador for Rugby League and the Knights, and it is not surprising that there would be interest in him at the appropriate time.

“The nature of this interest is certainly unorthodox. Kalyn has a significant period remaining on his contract and it would be disappointing to see any contact made to any player under these circumstances.”

Originally published on newcastleknights.com.au

 

[typicalfan]

Union need a league player as the face of their game in Australia for their profile.

Now Israel is out there are barely any union player with a decent profile.

 

[Angry_eel]

Where's the best 5/8th since Darren Lockyer thread?

 

[taste2taste]

If he switches to rara it would be to play for NZ.

The Wallabies can't win and they have no money The ARU can't compete with NRL money, especially with a big court case coming up.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

I predict that Kalyn Ponga will stay in rugby league at the Knights until James Tedesco retires, at which time Kalyn Ponga will join the Sydney Roosters in order to try and prove himself the greatest full back since James Tedesco.

 

[Perth Red]

Someone needs to show him cutie’s career as an example of what happens if you leave the nrl!

 

[madunit]

I predict that Kalyn Ponga will stay in rugby league at the Knights until James Tedesco retires, at which time Kalyn Ponga will join the Sydney Roosters in order to try and prove himself the greatest full back since James Tedesco.

Ponga is only 5 years younger than Tedesco.

Genius.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Ponga is only 5 years younger than Tedesco.

Genius.

Being only 5 years younger than James Tedesco does not make Kalyn Ponga a genius. How could it?

 

[madunit]

Being only 5 years younger than James Tedesco does not make Kalyn Ponga a genius. How could it?

In the entire potato community, you are seen as the biggest f**king idiot.

 

[Silent Knight]

I predict that Kalyn Ponga will stay in rugby league at the Knights until James Tedesco retires, at which time Kalyn Ponga will join the Sydney Roosters in order to try and prove himself the greatest full back since James Tedesco.

I'm sure Kalyn prefers to play his football in front of a crowd.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

I'm sure Kalyn prefers to play his football in front of a crowd.

There is nothing like the crowd at an NRL Grand Final. That is something that the Sydney Roosters can offer Kalyn Ponga. Plus the Roosters offer the chance for Kalyn Ponga to match himself against the Dutch Billy Slater, Ryan Papenhuyzen, in a Grand Final.

 

[Someguy]

Union need a league player as the face of their game in Australia for their profile.

Now Israel is out there are barely any union player with a decent profile.

This the whole problem with the way NRL pumps up its elite players. Too much hype around individual players, just makes them ripe for the picking. RU can sign that player, gain an elite player and the associated hype that RL has created.

 

[Knuckle-dragger]

Now Israel is out there are barely any union player with a decent profile.

George Gregan?

 

[t-ba]

George Gregan?

Ryan Cross