Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga has confirmed he will remain with the club until the end of his contract in 2027, putting to rest recent speculation about a potential move to rugby union.
Ponga, now in his eighth season with Newcastle, had been linked this week to a possible code switch, with reports suggesting he had enlisted the help of a New Zealand-based agent. The 27-year-old fullback, whose father hails from New Zealand, has previously represented the Māori All Stars and has long been viewed as a potential target for rugby union recruiters.
The speculation surrounding Ponga’s future comes as pressure mounts on Knights head coach Adam O’Brien, with the team sitting 13th on the ladder after 19 rounds and likely to miss the finals.
However, in a post on Instagram, Ponga directly addressed the rumours:
“Committed to the end of 2027. Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me!”
His public declaration offers much-needed stability to the club. Had Ponga left, the Knights would have been forced to reshuffle their lineup — potentially moving young talent Fletcher Sharpe into the fullback role, thereby weakening their options in the halves, especially ahead of big-name recruit Dylan Brown’s arrival from Parramatta in 2026.
While Ponga has battled form issues this season and is currently sidelined with a season-ending foot injury, he remains a central figure at the Knights. His impact on and off the field is widely acknowledged.
Since joining Newcastle in 2018 from North Queensland — who had just come off a grand final appearance — Ponga has been a marquee player on a substantial deal. He re-signed in 2022 on a five-year contract and has been widely credited with helping rebuild the club following a stretch of poor seasons.
Club legend Andrew Johns praised Ponga during a recent appearance on Channel Nine, noting the significant contribution he’s made to the club and community.
“I give him a big thank you for coming to the club… He’s carried the club,” Johns said.
“He signed after three wooden spoons and helped attract players and sponsors. If he wants to move on, then thank you for what you’ve done — no animosity at all.”
