Ponga is keen to captain Knights

KALYN Ponga has put his hand up to captain the Knights this season.

Coach Adam O’Brien was left searching for a new skipper after Mitchell Pearce stood down from the role following his involvement in a texting scandal that led to his wedding being called off.

“I want to be seen as a leader in the team,” Ponga said.

“I’m in a position or role at the back there where I have to lead the team around so if the club wanted to put me as leader I would happily step up but in saying that, there are other boys in the team that can do the job.”

Experienced Origin forward David Klemmer is believed to be one of the favourites to take over from Pearce as captain. Regardless of who ends up wearing the captaincy armband, Ponga, 22, wants to be part of Newcastle’s leadership group this season.

“I want to be, that’s the sort of role I want to have in the team,” he said “If I don’t have a label near my name I’m still going to try to be a leader.

“I’m still going to step up in meetings and on the field.”

Earlier this month, an emotional Pearce announced he would be relinquishing his role as Knights leader in the wake of the texting scandal.

Ponga is racing the clock to be ready for Newcastle’s Round 1 clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

O’Brien has refused to put an exact date on when Ponga is expected back on the field.

“It’s (rehab) going good. I’m ticking all the boxed and doing everything I can ... but I still have a few more weeks to go and I know I have to be patient with it. It’s frustrating but it’s going good,” Ponga said.