Kiwis in plot to secure Ponga

QUEENSLAND Origin sensation Kalyn Ponga rejected a secret approach from the New Zealand Rugby League to pledge his future to the Maroons and Australia.

Ponga produced a sublime debut in Origin II last Sunday night, but well before his Maroons magic act at ANZ Stadium, New Zealand hierarchy made overtures to lure the NRL’s latest superstar.

The Townsville Bulletin can reveal Ponga was offered the chance to represent New Zealand, the country of his father Andre’s birth, in last year’s Anzac Test with a view to taking on Australia at the 2017 World Cup.

The poaching bid had parallels to New Zealand’s pursuit of former Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt, who was approached as an 18- year- old in 2004 before he committed to Queensland and Australia.

At the time of the approach, Ponga had just celebrated his 19th birthday and was so undecided about his representative future he declined an opportunity to play for the Queensland under- 20s.

Ponga only found clarity five months ago, when he was selected for Queensland’s Emerging Origin camp – finally scuppering the Kiwis’ plan to snare the NRL’s hottest attacking talent.

Ponga’s management confirmed the Kiwis were serious about blooding Ponga as a teenager last year at a time when Maroons coach Kevin Walters was assessing candidates for his Emerging Origin program.

“We received a few phone calls from the Kiwis to sound him out. If he said yes, they would have picked him,” his agent Wayde Rushton said.

“He was asked by the Kiwis that if they selected him, would he play for them.

“The Kiwis were looking to choose him in their side for the Anzac Test.”

Born in Western Australia, Ponga lived in New Zealand as a child for about five years, but lived in Queensland during the teenage years that honed his rugby league talent.

Ponga’s father was keen for his son to wear the black- andwhite jumper but ultimately left the final call to Kalyn.

“At that stage ( of the Kiwis’ approach), Kalyn was undecided,” Rushton said.

“The year before he could have played Queensland under- 20s but he felt uncomfortable … and didn’t want to rush into a decision.

“I didn’t get too involved, I wanted Kalyn to represent where he felt his heart belonged.

“He is of Maori descent but he sees himself as a Queensland and Australian kid.”