Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga has opened up on his “awesome” relationship with Andrew Johns, which the fullback’s father admits will play a major role in his looming contract call.
Ponga must decide by Round 12 whether to trigger an option in his favour at the Knights for the 2023 season.
The 23-year-old 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.
Ponga hasn’t made a decision and told foxsports.com.au his focus for now is on honing his craft under Johns.
The NRL immortal has returned to Newcastle in a coaching capacity, 15 years after finishing his illustrious career at the club.
Johns quit his coaching role at the Eels to link up with the Knights and he’s been working closely with Ponga this summer.
“It’s been awesome. He’s very thorough and quite passionate too, you can see the detail that he brings,” Ponga told foxsports.com.au.
“We’ve got quite a young spine group and he’s been hands on and it’s good to see him in Knights colours.
“For the past four years seeing him coach other teams, it’s quite nice and refreshing that he’s back and you can tell he’s very invested.”
Knights great Matthew Johns said his brother is a practical teacher who you’ll never find sharing his football wisdom indoors.
“Yeah, there’s no whiteboards,” Ponga said.
“He’s just a visual teacher, he’s someone that’s better off showing than explaining verbally.
“I find it easier to learn off someone after watching them do it and Joey is the best to ever do it, so it’s been awesome learning off him.
“Rugby league is a sport is a sport with its own details and skills and just it’s the little things that he’s brought that we’ve all been learning over the pre-season. It’s been good.”
Ponga plans on talking to Johns this season about the pressures that come with being the highest-profile player in a one-club town.
Matthew Johns believes Ponga’s decision could impact the Knights for the next decade and backed his brother to help the club retain his signature.
“Joey is going to be a big help there,” Johns told foxsports.com.au.
“Joey, having been a great player, he understands the pressure that’s on Kalyn, he understands Kalyn’s game really well and he’s given Kalyn an understanding of his responsibilities and what the side needs from him.
“Kalyn is as important to Newcastle is as Tommy (Trbojevic) is to Manly.
“You tell me Kalyn plays 20 games and I’m saying well we’re a big, big chance to play in the finals again.”
Ponga has reportedly held informal talks with the Dolphins, and he’s previously expressed interesting in a code switch to rugby union which he played in high school.
But his father Andre admitted in an interview with News Corp this month that Johns joining the Knights coaching staff was a “massive” factor in the looming contract decision.
“Andrew Johns coming back is massive and that is a huge factor for Kalyn,” Andre said.
“Kalyn is very happy at the Knights. He is very close to their recruitment chief Clint Zammit, he first signed Kalyn and has played a big role in his career, and having Joey at the club will be huge for his development.
“The main reason to stay in Newcastle is to win a premiership. Obviously, it’s a team sport and everything has to align, but Kalyn believes he can win a premiership at the Knights.
“We’re in no rush (with his contract). We don’t have to make a call by July.”
Source: foxsports.com.au