Ponga not feeling the pressure at Knights
RUGBY LEAGUE: Despite arriving with huge expectation, Kalyn Ponga says he’s not feeling the pressure at Newcastle.
The Mackay-raised former Cowboy began training with the Knights yesterday.
While Matthew Johns previously rated Ponga the Knights’ best signing since Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston said he believed Ponga made the wrong decision leaving North Queensland.
Asked if he was feeling the pressure, he said: “No, not really. I am just excited. The only pressure is the pressure I put on myself.
“If I work hard and get myself fit and if I am comfortable where I am at I am happy. I don’t feel too much pressure at all.
“It did take me a little while (to make his decision) but once I signed I was comfortable. I saw an opportunity and I took it.
“Now I am just ready to get stuck in.”
Fellow star signing Aidan Guerra has declared Newcastle capable of playing finals football in 2018.
“We will be hoping to be there in September. There is no two ways about it,” former Rooster Guerra said.
“Every team starts the off season with the same goal and that is to be in the top eight and then be in the top four and then come first eventually. I think with the squad that is here it is possible and we will certainly be working towards being there in September in 2018.”