Kalyn Ponga to debut for New Zealand in World Cup opener

After leading the Knights to within a point of a drought-breaking NRL title last Sunday night, Kalyn Ponga should be exhausted and relaxing on the sand in Newcastle.

Instead, he’s the best part of 200 kilometres south at Coogee Beach with the Kiwi squad for the Rugby League World Cup, and there’s nowhere else the New Zealand-raised fullback would rather be.

After a decade of waiting to reach the “pinnacle” of rugby league, Ponga is set to make his debut for New Zealand in Thursday’s World Cup opener against the Kangaroos at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

February’s landmark change to State of Origin eligibility came into effect on October 1, meaning Ponga, as well as Queensland Maroons and Knights teammate Dane Gagai, can cross to the “dark side”, as skipper James Fisher-Harris termed it, and pull on the Kiwi jersey for the first time.

It didn’t take long for the 28-year-old Ponga to be peppered about his decision to declare his allegiance to the Kiwis.

Asked whether it “felt right” to be wearing the black and white across his chest, Ponga said there was nowhere else he’d rather be.

“That’s a crazy question off the bat,” said Ponga, who was born in Western Australia and lived in Queensland as a boy, before crossing the ditch with his New Zealand-born parents to live in Palmerston North.

“It definitely feels right. I’m excited about everything.

“To go out there and represent where I’m from, my family, my culture and the country, it’s pretty special.

“As I got older, my sister probably influencing me, my family influencing me, but yeah, that connection to my culture has only gotten stronger. And it definitely feels right now.”

Ponga might have dreamt of pulling on the All Blacks jersey rather than the Kiwi one when he was a kid, but the stars have finally aligned for him to enter the game’s biggest stage.

“Obviously, when you’re in New Zealand, back in the day, it was more the All Blacks,” he said. “But this one is just as special.

“I’ve never played at the international level. Obviously, it’s the pinnacle of rugby league. And to do that now, I feel like the time is right in terms of my career as well … it all feels like [the] timing is a big thing.”

Ponga was reduced to tears when he helped fire the Knights into the NRL grand final late last month.

Whether there’s a twinkle in his eye next week remains to be seen, but the proud Kiwi said he had no doubt it would be an emotional game for his family.

“I know my family will probably have tears in their eyes,” he said. “Obviously, doing the haka and everything before the game will be proud.”

Ponga said spending time with the Māori All Stars during the past eight years only strengthened his desire to one day run out for the Kiwis.

“I think those experiences helps as well. Connecting to my culture is a journey for me,” he said.

“I’ve been in Australia for a while, but who I am is back home. Those camps were awesome for me; it’s like being back home for me. It’s played its part in this journey.”

Ponga is set to go head-to-head again with James Tedesco in a mouthwatering contest less than two weeks after his counterpart helped the Roosters sneak home 19-18 in the NRL grand final.

While Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters could opt for Reece Walsh in the Kangaroos No.1, leaving Tedesco out would be a massive call after the Roosters captain won the Clive Churchill Medal following his captain’s knock in the decider.

That selection headache, however, isn’t for Ponga.

Ponga’s eligibility has given the Kiwis a real shot in the arm and the Knights fullback admitted he was relishing playing behind a pack that will feature monster props Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and the game’s in-form and best young front-row talent, Naufahu Whyte.

“I love my Knights teammates, but I’m very excited about the people that are in this room, in this team,” he said.

He’s not the only one either. Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes is set for his own international return after missing the past two years with injury. Hughes added that he was itching to link up with Ponga.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play with and against a lot of top-tier fullbacks, but he’s right up there as well,” the Storm halfback said.

“I think just coming off the back of a final series in a season like he had this year, it’s been right up there with the best that I’ve seen a fullback have.

“To nearly take his team from wooden spoon right to a grand final, it’s truly special. And most of it was off the back of him.”

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