Ponga is a class above

FORMER Bronco Kalyn Ponga has been hailed the new Darren Lockyer, with the Newcastle fullback sensation rated Queensland’s next State of Origin superstar.

The classy Ponga produced a masterclass on Saturday, tormenting the club with whom he held a scholarship as a 15year-old.

The Knights were criticised last year for signing Ponga, then just 19, to a five-year deal worth an estimated $3 million.

But their buy is paying dividends, with Knights colleague, NSW No.7 Mitchell Pearce, declaring he had never seen a better young talent.