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Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Shock development emerges about Kalyn Ponga's rugby league future
Kalyn Ponga is reportedly considering leaving the Newcastle Knights at the end of this season and could be eyeing up a cross-code switch to play rugby union. The Sydney Morning Herald states that the 27-year-old full-back has started to look for other opportunities away from the Knights and has hired a New Zealand rugby union agent as he looks for new opportunities. The Western Australia-born star, who has played with the Knights since 2018, has two years left on his bumper $1.4million-a-season contract. But the former Queensland representative is understood to be 'concerned about wasting the prime years of his career' with the Knights. Sources close to the situation have added that the footy star, who had previously played for North Queensland, could be ready to depart as early as the end of the 2025 season. It comes as Newcastle are also weighing up the future of their coach Adam O'Brien, with Powerbrokers planning to sack the coach, whose contract also expires in 2027, at the conclusion of the current campaign. The struggling Knights have been left fearing that their star man, Ponga, could leave for some time, with Michael Chammas of the Sydney Morning Herald having revealed the club were growing concerned in May that if the side's form did not improve, Ponga could leave. Should the 2023 Dally M medallist leave the club, the Knights would see a huge shift in their salary cap, allowing them to bring in a fresh stand-off option. Newcastle also have Fletcher Sharpe who can move into take Ponga's position at full-back. While the has not explicitly asked to be released, the footy star's management are willing to negotiate terms of a release. Ponga's decision to hire a Kiwi rugby union agent also comes at an interesting time. The emergence of the lucrative R360 competition is reportedly set to start in 2026, while the Rugby World Cup is set to follow a year later in Australia. Some European rugby union clubs have also been contacted about the potential availability of Ponga, according to reports.
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
Morgan flies Welsh flag alone in 44-man Lions squad
There remains just one Welshman - Jac Morgan - in what will soon be a squad of 44 British and Irish lions in Australia. It's a staggering stat. A barren run of results means there have been few objections thus far though hooker Dewi Lake may feel aggrieved to have been Ewan Ashman, Darcy Graham and Rory Sutherland will join from New Zealand to provide cover for the First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture and will bring the country's representation to 11 players. Graham's inclusion means the Scotland backline who beat Australia in November are now all in the meanwhile boast 18 players, 14 from Leinster which equals England's representation. Lions captain Maro Itoje today defended Andy Farrell's decision to expand the squad with some suggesting it devalues the shirt.''Andy has called them in because they will help us achieve our goal of winning a Test series," he said. "These are all quality players and have achieved things. It's not us and them we are all in this together. "It doesn't matter if there is a late call-up. We have seen in the past how late call-ups have had a huge impact on the tour in positive ways so I have no doubt everyone will play a significant role."Head coach Farrell won't be concerned by the optics of the squad split with just one number on his mind. The Lions have played eight and won eight Tests in Brisbane, a record he'll be desperate to retain.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Foketi, Samu and Salakaia-Loto confirmed for First Nations & Pasifika squad
Australia internationals Lalakai Foketi, Pete Samu and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are in the squad for the First Nations & Pasifika team select side that will take on the Lions between the first and second and Samu are two of four players, along with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Kalani Thomas, who played for the Australia and New Zealand invitational XV in their Beale who played against the Lions on their 2013 tour, had already been confirmed as one of the initial squad members, with Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu and Glen Ella, one-time England's assistant, on the coaching Nations & Pasifika XV squad:Forwards: George Blake, Mesake Doge, Feao Fotuaika, Lington Ieli, Marley Pearce, Richie Asiata, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain, Mesake Vocevoce, Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tuaina Taii TualimaBacks: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Harrison Goddard, Kalani Thomas, Kurtley Beale, Jack Debreczeni, David Feliuai, Lalakai Foketi, Isaac Henry, Jarrah McLeod, Andy Muirhead, Kye Oates, Triston Reilly.
