Kalyn Ponga could be on the verge of an incredible 23-day recovery from a broken arm, with the Newcastle Knights superstar named on New Zealand’s extended bench for their World Cup semifinal against Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Knights fullback underwent surgery after breaking his arm in the Kiwis’ 24–22 defeat against Australia in what many called an instant World Cup epic.
Ponga had already shown his grit and determination by playing on for 20 minutes after the break, making several tackles and scoring a try, but returning just three weeks later would further prove his resilience.
And it seems more likely than not at this stage, too—while New Zealand coach Stacey Jones was speaking on that exact topic on Wednesday, Ponga casually walked past and told the assembled media: “He’s ready.”
Jones played it a little cooler, pointing out Ponga still does have “a couple more boxes” that he has to tick before, including several training-yard fitness tests.
“We will see where that lands on Saturday,” Jones said.
“I’m not too sure at this stage. We will get through one more session and see where that goes. Kalyn is looking pretty good… [and] his rehab has been really good… he has got to feel right in himself to [play].
“At the moment, he is doing everything right,” the NZ coach added. “That’s the main thing, making sure he is ready. We’re not going to play him if he’s not.”
Keano Kini is the man who will step up should Ponga not make the cut-off. He has already played in two group games and has been named at fullback for Saturday. (To note for Knights fans: Phoenix Crossland was also named in the reserves after serving his multi-match suspension.)
Interestingly, New Zealand’s leading No.7, Jahrome Hughes, is actually very well placed to help Ponga decide whether he can play, after he was felled by a forearm fracture last year. He also took the surgery route and was playing again for the Melbourne Storm within 22 days of the original injury.
The fullback already trained on Tuesday and Wednesday, running through skills drills (with heavy strapping) and opposed non-contact sessions, then opposed training. Next, there will be a captain’s run at the stadium with the whole squad on Friday. Any decision from Jones and Ponga will be made by mid-matchday.
Ponga’s Knights and New Zealand teammate, Dane Gagai, repeated the same company line that Jones had (and that Ponga ignored with his casual comment): it will largely come down to how the 28-year-old pulls up post-training.
“That’ll just come down to the boxes he’ll have to tick with the physios and stuff, but one thing that’s never in question is Kalyn’s toughness, and I don’t think he gets enough credit or praise for it,” Gagai explained.
“It was only maybe a year or two ago with his AC [joint] and getting that injected, but he’ll put his head in most places that people won’t put their hands.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll do everything he can to make sure… it’s just a case of whether he can tick those boxes, and he’ll know whether he’s capable of playing or not.
“He won’t put himself before the team, but we’d obviously love to have him out there.”
