Kalyn Ponga has been given the green light to represent New Zealand.
According to Code Sports, an International Rugby League board meeting made the final call on Ponga’s representative status on Wednesday night.
The big decision opens the door for the Knights superstar to represent the Kiwis at the World Cup at the season’s end, becoming the first player to switch allegiance under the new eligibility rulings.
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Therefore, Ponga also has the chance to play for Queensland and New Zealand inside the same calendar year.
The gun fullback needed permission to switch allegiance due to the international eligibility rules that state players cannot switch between tier-one nations, without approval.
Ponga played a single game for Australia at the World 9s in 2019, but AJ Brimson’s move to represent England set a precedent after he was approved to make his own switch.
The Newcastle star also reportedly wrote to the IRL board in his bid to represent the Kiwis.
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“Kalyn Ponga has been given the green light to represent the Kiwis… he will play for Queensland play for the Kiwis in one year,” The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis said on NRL360 on Wednesday night.
“It sets up a blockbuster World Cup opener because Australia take on New Zealand to kickstart the tournament. But Kalyn Ponga, officially a Kiwi.”
The Australian’s Brent Read revealed that the Ponga family have long harboured a desire for the star No.1 to play for New Zealand.
“They have been chasing him for years, they have been very keen to get him in the system,” he said.
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“And I am happy for him, this is what he wanted to do. This is why he didn’t play for Australia a year or two ago, because he wanted to play for New Zealand.
“If you know that family, last year his sister went back to New Zealand so she can connect with her Maori heritage.
“There is deep roots between that family and New Zealand and the Maori culture, and Kalyn had decided he wants to represent his family.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta added: “Good on him, he can play for whoever he wants to play for”.
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