The rumblings surrounding Kalyn Ponga’s desire to depart the Knights have once again surfaced, with one reporter declaring he is “too afraid to take the jump”.
A photo was leaked over the weekend, picturing Ponga chatting with Warriors general manager of recruitment Andrew McFadden.
The Daily Telegraph reported Ponga was captured in discussion with McFadden at the sports bar which the Warriors own and operate, Full Time Sports Bar and Eatery, in Auckland.
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While that meeting with a “coincidence” according to the SMH’s Michael Chammas, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Ponga is “exploring other options”.
“I find it interesting he is in New Zealand, because there’s talk about him going to play New Zealand rugby,” Chammas said on Triple M.
“I think it’s just a coincidence, but I don’t know. How long have I been going on about Kalyn Ponga wanting to leave Newcastle for? He has been too afraid to take the jump.
“No one has moved on this yet, he wants out, guarantee you he wants to explore other options. He is exploring other options.
“Maybe he is afraid to leave the safety net of the $1.4 million and the life he has in Newcastle. I can tell you now, he definitely is thinking ‘is the grass greener elsewhere?’.
“I just do think it’s a coincidence with the Warriors though.”
The Knights skipper is off-contract in 2027 and not free to negotiate with rival clubs until November 1 of next year.
Earlier this year, with uncertainty surrounding Ponga’s future running rife, the gun fullback released a statement to insist he will remain at the club until the end of his contract.
The leaked picture sent the rumour mill into overdrive, with News Corp revealing the circumstances behind the meeting.
Ponga and his father Andre had flown over to New Zealand for a speaking engagement at the bar with former Warriors forward Sione Faumuina.
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It was there that Ponga bumped into McFadden, who had placed some bets on Derby Day last Saturday.
According to the report, Faumuina questioned Ponga onstage whether he would want to join the Warriors given his New Zealand Heritage, a question the superstar fullback laughed off.
Ponga has been rumoured to be leaving the Knights when his deal expires after being linked to R360 and the Roosters in the past.
Ponga wants to win a premiership, while a massive payday with the rival code could help set him up for life after footy.
He has also shown interest in playing for the All Blacks in the past, but doesn’t want to play Super Rugby, which is necessary to represent New Zealand in rugby union.
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