Kalyn Ponga has ruled out playing in the halves this season and expects Dragons recruit Adam Clune to partner Jake Clifford in the halves for Round 1.
Ponga has been linked with a move to the halves since Mitchell Pearce’s shock defection to the Super League in November.
The Knights experimented with Ponga in the halves early in the 2019 season but he quickly switched back to fullback.
The 23-year-old confirmed to foxsports.com.au that he’ll be wearing the No. 1 jersey for Newcastle’s season opener against the Roosters on March 12.
“There’s been no real chat about that to be honest, I’ve just been focusing on being the best fullback I can be,” Ponga told foxsports.com.au.
“We made that decision quite early that I wasn’t going to be playing in the halves this year and I’m pretty happy about it.”
Ponga said he doesn’t expect to make a switch to the halves even in the long term.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
“I’m enjoying being a fullback and I’m enjoying working on my craft back there so I can’t see it but who knows.”
There has been plenty of discussion this off-season about who will replace Pearce in the halves - and Ponga revealed the spine he expects to start in Round 1.
“Cliffo, he’s been training well and should there and I think Cluney will start in the halves,” he said.
“Then obviously Randy (Chris Randall) at No.9 given the (achilles) injury (Jayden) Brailey has faced, but yeah I think that will be our spine.”
Ponga confirmed he must decide by Round 12 whether to trigger the player option in his contract for the 2023 season.
The playmaker has been linked with a move to Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins, where he could become the highest-paid player in the game earning close to $1.5 million per season.
“All those sort of decisions, obviously I make the final one but (dad) takes care of that,” Ponga said.
“I haven’t thought about it, it’s not a matter of what does it for me, it just hasn’t been on my mind.
“Pre-season has been hard enough as it is, it’s one of those things you don’t really want to worry about and I actually haven’t until this chat.
“I’ve just been working hard and enjoying my work at the back, enjoying being around these boys and this play group. For me it’s really about worrying about the next four weeks leading into Round 1 and going from there.
“I don’t feel like there’s any pressure on me or anyone. The position we’re in is a privilege and that’s the way I’ve always looked at it.
“At the moment it’s that time of the year where you’re not winning or losing games, you’re just working on yourself and your craft. Right now there’s none of that feeling.
“Obviously the nerves start to kick in but no pressure really.”
Ponga, who has played 83 NRL games and made four appearances for the Maroons, is expected to be named the Knights captain the coming weeks.
“If I do get named captain it will be a massive honour,” he said.
“To captain this club and these boys would be such a huge privilege and something I would be very excited about.
“I already want to be a leader among these boys and lead this club and I’m trying to work on that skill and have been for the past four years.
“Whether I’m captain or not, I’ll still lead these boys hopefully”.
Source: foxsports.com.au