Why NRL superstar Kalyn Ponga can’t switch to the Kiwis – yet

By Alex Powell

New Zealand Rugby League is eager to bring Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga into the Kiwis fold, but the sport’s murky eligibility rules remain a significant hurdle.

Last weekend, Kiwis coach Stacey Jones told Australian media he was interested in recruiting Ponga, hoping the Newcastle Knights fullback would turn his back on the Kangaroos and instead represent the Kiwis at test level.

Despite being born in Australia, Ponga is of Kiwi heritage through both of his parents. Ponga lived in New Zealand for five years before returning to Australia, and his father – and manager – Andre Ponga is Māori.

At representative level, while he’s never played for the Kangaroos, Ponga has represented Australia at Nines level, as well as Queensland in State of Origin. On top of that, though, Ponga has also represented the Māori All Stars three times.

Last year, when approached by Australia coach Mal Meninga, Ponga made himself unavailable for the Kangaroos, before changing his mind – only to be overlooked for the Pacific Championships.

Yet while it was hoped that could open the door for a switch to New Zealand, the current International Rugby League eligibility rules prevent players from switching from one Tier One nation to another.

However, given the current rules do not mention State of Origin, Ponga’s situation becomes murky, regardless of who he wants to play for.

Regardless, Peters makes it clear that the Kiwis will always accommodate Ponga, as and when he decides where his international future lies.

“That’s not the first time we’ve approached Kalyn,” he told the Herald. “Michael Maguire spoke to him a couple of years back.

“At that time, what Kalyn was saying was if he could still play Origin and play for the Kiwis, he’d front up for us.

“As it currently stands, that’s not possible. To my understanding. Stacey has expressed a willingness or desire to speak to Kalyn, if he’s keen to play for the Kiwis.

“But at this stage, until the State of Origin issue is resolved, it’ll be the same answer.

“We’re still very keen, if he continues to play the way he has been, to see him in a Kiwis jumper.”

Peters is also confident New Zealand Rugby League could find a solution to Ponga’s eligibility, given he has represented Australia in Nines.

His switch wouldn’t be the first time the Kiwis gained a player from an eligibility change either.

In 2022, Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore was able to change his allegiance from the Cook Islands to New Zealand for the Rugby League World Cup. Niukore should have been tied to the Cook Islands, after playing a World Cup qualifier in 2019, but the rule changes in 2020 allowed him to switch to New Zealand.

On the whole, though, the Kiwis do ultimately get the short end of the stick with State of Origin.

At present, only Australians or players from Tier Two nations can represent Queensland or New South Wales.

Despite their success on the world stage, separately reaching the last two World Cup finals, Samoa and Tonga – as well as Fiji – are classed as Tier Two nations, due to their administrative set-ups at domestic level.

However, given the Pasifika populations in New Zealand and Australia, few players come through pathways in their homelands.

In last year’s series, New South Wales fielded the likes of Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Brian To’o and Spencer Leniu, while Jaydn Su’a and Jeremiah Nanai played for Queensland – all of whom represent Samoa at test level.

Contrary to its billing, State of Origin selection comes down to where a player’s first junior club is located and played for before their 13th birthday, as opposed to where they were born.

Theoretically, Melbourne Storm and Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes could represent Queensland, while Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo came close to a Maroons debut in 2021, before his eligibility was questioned at the last minute.

On the other side of the equation, though, Palmerston North-born James Tamou opted to represent Australia over New Zealand on residency grounds, in order to play for New South Wales.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission