Kalyn Ponga has ruled himself out of the Maori All Stars to focus on the Knights, but is targeting a return to the Origin arena with Queensland in 2024.
Ponga sat out last year’s Origin series to repay the Knights after a series of head knocks and Newcastle charged to the semi-finals on the back of a 10-game winning streak as Ponga streaked home to win the Dally M Medal.
Despite being part of the last three All Stars games, Ponga has decided to make himself unavailable for the 2024 clash to focus on picking up where he left off for the Knights.
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“It’s a special game for both cultures, and I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of it for three series now,” Ponga said on Triple M Newcastle’s Tanya and Steve on Wednesday.
“But I want to focus on the Knights and get myself right for the season.”
However, the 25-year-old is hopeful of fighting his way back into the Queensland Origin team after he was overlooked in favour of Broncos star Reece Walsh last season.
Walsh will take some beating after his stunning 2023 season, but Ponga has a burning desire to get back to the Origin arena.
”I do want to put myself forward for Queensland this year,” Ponga said.
“Hopefully we can have another good season here and I can play Origin and we can go a few steps further.”
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However, Ponga’s prime focus is continuing the Knights’ resurgence after they finished fifth last season and were two games away from the grand final.
“The excitement and the momentum from last year we’ve tried to carry into this pre-season,” Ponga said.
“I think the boys are doing a good job of that. The standards are higher, the expectations on ourselves are higher too and we are just looking to play some footy now.
“We have banked a lot of good work. Our younger boys started before us and they set the pace.”
Ponga admitted his history with head knocks has seen his priorities change over time as he has gotten older.
“I’m still young, I used to have the nickname the kid, but I don’t think I have got that anymore,” Ponga said.
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“You just mature and other things become the priority.”
After their remarkable finish to last season, Ponga admits he has been reliving the highlights to remind himself and his team what they are striving for in 2024.
“I hope we have 30,000 there like we did in the last round,” Ponga said.
“I still watch the highlights from those games and relive those memories because it is what we want to create this year.
“We know if we give the performances that Newy wants we will get that, so it is pretty special. I really want to be a part of that again this year.”
The Knights have bolstered their squad with the signing of two English players from the Super League in Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors) and Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants).
Ponga joked the pair haven’t struggled with acclimatising to the Australian heat at this stage.
“They have got their shirt off and they are down at the beach, so I think they are enjoying it just fine,” Ponga said.
“Both of them can’t get a shirt on at the moment. But they are good boys. They are both keen to learn and be a part of the Newy culture. They have been a great addition to our squad.”
Newcastle were boosted by news Origin centre Bradman Best is set to stay at the club long-term and Ponga could not be more delighted to hold onto the young supersstar in the making.
“It is huge for the club,” Ponga said.
“He would have been a massive loss for the club and the town. He has worked so hard to get to where he is now, so I am grateful he is staying.”
