Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga is free to chase a spot at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, despite recently extending his Knights contract until 2024.
The game’s governing body officially released its updated 2021 contracts on NRL.com on Thursday, revealing the details of Ponga’s $1.1 million-a-season deal. Ponga will become a free agent at this time next year and will be allowed to walk out on the Knights at the end of 2022 if he chooses, after Newcastle agreed to include a player option clause in his contract for the final two years of the deal.
That detail was kept quiet when the Knights announced Ponga’s extension in June.
At the time, Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner took issue with the Sydney Morning Herald’s story in February which outlined the Knights’ intention to agree to a clause that would allow him to leave and pursue opportunities elsewhere.
That opportunity was expected to give Ponga the chance to fulfil his ambition of playing for New Zealand in rugby union, but when Ponga re-signed in June, Gardner told select journalists “there is no All Blacks clause”.
Gardner’s choice of words have now been highlighted as misleading. While there may be no specific All Blacks clause, the multi-year player option would allow Ponga to leave in time for the 2023 World Cup in France.
“I’d be really surprised if the All Blacks weren’t talking to him now, that’s the kind of talent we are talking about here,” Gardner said.
“He could play for the All Blacks, the Wallabies, or he may end up going to Japan or Europe. We genuinely want the best for the young man and while ever he wants to play rugby league, we want him to play here at Newcastle in an environment he enjoys.
“We have obviously put a deal forward that we believe is in the best interest of the club, but also in the best interest of him.”
Ponga was adamant his focus was on winning a premiership for the Knights when he held a press conference to announce his extension five months ago.
“It’s no secret I want to win a comp in Newcastle, I want to hold the trophy up here,” Ponga said at the time of his re-signing in June.
