Australian FB for end of year tests?

[Chaister]

Ponga backflip is embarrassing.
Don't agree with Andrew Johns saying someone in the club should be held accountable for not talking with him beforehand.
C'mon, he is a grown man and the highest paid player in the game. Take responsibility for yourself.
It was his call at the end of the day, nobody else's.
And now a backflip.
He shouldn't be paying a manager 10% when he can just get a public opinion for free via the media, if that's what it takes to make a decision.

He’s only “back flipped” because he’s been threatened by the NRL with being banned from club games, which would defeat the purpose of his reasoning from standing down (to help the Knights).

He did the smart thing making himself available with the NRL threats. No way Meninga picks him now that he knows he doesn’t want to play. Imagine the backlash if they forced Ponga to play to make an example out of him which stops another player getting a jersey (as apparently every other player considers it such an honour to play in this international series that the NRL could care less about).

 

[MattyM]

He’s gonna backflip and then proceed to not get selected anyway, this is gonna be an almighty joke.

 

[listo]

He’s only “back flipped” because he’s been threatened by the NRL with being banned from club games, which would defeat the purpose of his reasoning from standing down (to help the Knights).

He did the smart thing making himself available with the NRL threats. No way Meninga picks him now that he knows he doesn’t want to play. Imagine the backlash if they forced Ponga to play to make an example out of him which stops another player getting a jersey (as apparently every other player considers it such an honour to play in this international series that the NRL could care less about).

Imagine if he gets picked after being forced to play then either a) picks up an injury that forces him out of next season, or b) gets ironed out so bad it puts his career in jeopardy.

If he doesn’t want to play, he doesn’t want to play. Should just get the doctor to sign him off as having a bad back from carrying the Knights all year.

 

[Frank McWilliams]

He said on Sunday in the SEN interview that he’s 100% fit and feeling good, so not sure what the basis would be. Sudden mental health crisis? Not sure it’s a good look to fake that.

He should go ahead, if selected do fitness check, no fibs, accept what is, plays or doesn’t play, now up to selectors/medical staff

 

[Frank McWilliams]

Ponga backflip is embarrassing.
Don't agree with Andrew Johns saying someone in the club should be held accountable for not talking with him beforehand.
C'mon, he is a grown man and the highest paid player in the game. Take responsibility for yourself.
It was his call at the end of the day, nobody else's.
And now a backflip.
He shouldn't be paying a manager 10% when he can just get a public opinion for free via the media, if that's what it takes to make a decision.

Ponga backflip is embarrassing.
Don't agree with Andrew Johns saying someone in the club should be held accountable for not talking with him beforehand.
C'mon, he is a grown man and the highest paid player in the game. Take responsibility for yourself.
It was his call at the end of the day, nobody else's.
And now a backflip.
He shouldn't be paying a manager 10% when he can just get a public opinion for free via the media, if that's what it takes to make a decision.

Not so, he did make his own decision which turns out was likely made to not knowing rules, he should have gone through club and they should have made contact with relevant people in NRL. It’s not a backflip but a correcting of a error

 

[Roundtable]

The Ponga thing has been a positive for the club. It has sent a message to the team and people we are trying to sign about how serious he is, and that he puts the club above the glamourous rep jerseys. Great messaging!

 

[mozza]

Bullying him into making himself available. Rugby League at its finest.

 

[Billy]

Brer Rabbit Ponga.

 

[Lefty]

No one should have any doubts about Ponga’s commitment to the club now.

 

[Defence wins games]

The Ponga thing has been a positive for the club. It has sent a message to the team and people we are trying to sign about how serious he is, and that he puts the club above the glamourous rep jerseys. Great messaging!

With huge loyalty to the people who are paying his wage!

 

[danknights]

I doubt him still. Bit of a sheep. He still isn't in a class of his own but should be. HE IS that kinda player.

 

[what's that pong]

It's quite sad to see his career go by without representing at the highest level.

Oh but he has james, State of origin

 

[jamesgould]

Oh but he has james, State of origin

Read the thread before replying mate, it was covered and moved on from 8 pages back.

The Australian side is picked from the two Origin sides (minus the Pacific players) so is clearly the highest level. And they still manage to get beaten 30-0! Oops!

What the highest quality game is is a different discussion, obviously Aus vs PNG or whoever isn't going to match Origin.