Kalyn Ponga and Knights hit with ultimatum from NRL over controversial Kangaroos withdrawal

The Newcastle Knights and Kalyn Ponga have been issued a deadline by the NRL to change their stance on the fullback playing representative football or face potential sanctions. Ponga dropped a bombshell on Tuesday when he announced he wouldn't be making himself available to play for Australia in the upcoming Pacific Championship Test matches. But crucially Ponga revealed he isn't injured but simply wants to put his full attention into a pre-season with the Knights. "I want to win a comp, for me, anything short of that isn't success. My focus has never shifted from wanting to win a premiership with the Knights, that has been my goal since I joined the club in 2018 and continues to be my focus. Ponga said in a statement on the Knights website. "When I'm done, I want to look back at my career with a positive reflection, including people saying he was a great signing and represented our community to the best of his ability. For now, I don't feel like I have earned that yet. That's why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals." The fact Ponga isn't injured means his withdrawal is against NRL rules. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, NRL clubs must make all players available for representative selection unless there's a valid reason they can't play (usually injury). And, News Corp reports the Knights have been contacted by the NRL over the matter, with the league outlining the club and Ponga's requirement to be available for the Kangaroos. The NRL reportedly set a 4pm Thursday deadline for the Knights and Ponga to change their stance, although that was later extended to Friday. The NRL does have the power to step in and force Ponga to play if Mal Meninga wishes to select and play him. However, instead, they have first gone to the club to seek information about his withdrawal and if they are not satisfied with the reasons provided and Ponga and the Knights don't make him available to play in the Pacific Championships he could be fined and/or suspended for the start of the 2025 NRL season. It is understood the Knights believed Ponga would play for the Kangaroos and were blindsided by his choice to pull out. However, they understandably supported his decision to withdraw himself, given their obvious desire to have their star player back for the start of pre-season training.