Kalyn Ponga re-signs with the Knights

The all blacks aren't going to offer him a spot.
They made SBW play a season in France and earn a spot by playing for NZ based sides before they picked him.
 
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...sQxfQBCC0wAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ZOBFmOVMbsTkTY0Gwwhbe
Knights offer deal.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...gwAA&usg=AOvVaw2jGQaZA8Gz88s4wtoSzvji&ampcf=1

$4.5mil for 4 years.
With an option for Ponga to leave 1 year early if he wants to play in the next Rugby world cup for the All Blacks.

Isn’t this just an extra year for us considering the rumored release in 23? Doesn’t seem like the best deal for us but Defo good for Kaylyn and one id imagine he’d jump at.
 
So what’s gonna happen post-2023? Is this just a upgrade and then shake hands and say “thanks, see ya later” or would he return? Kinda confused about the deal, but it’s one I think he’ll take.

It's probably about allowing him the flexibility to do what he wants. The All Blacks are always going to be a threat whether we like it or not, so maybe it'll be an attractive offer for him to take & then evaluate what he wants to do at the end of it, rather than trying to convince him into a longer deal that goes beyond the rugby world cup & takes away his options. If he wants to become a rugby player, he will, best we can do is treat him with respect & maybe he will show loyalty to us when the time comes, or if he leaves & decides to come back.
 
A deal he might actually take. NZ rugby is only going to weaken in time due to the fact Australia are so damn poor and bleeding all their gun talent to league and South Africa considering a switch to European club competition. There will be no competition and no money in NZ rugby soon enough.

With the ability to switch to union for a World Cup and earn that money it’s a very attractive offer.

So basically the only motivation for the switch is money?
 
Club has said for a long time they are ready to resign him when KP is ready. Now all of a sudden they have put an offer on the table before the season has even begun. Which is it? Why now?

Ofcourse the club would say they are not panicking.

In reality Ponga is the most marketable player in Rugby League, sponsors, bums on seats, exposure and corporate wise he'd be worth $10,000,000 a year if not a lot more.
 
The all blacks aren't going to offer him a spot.
They made SBW play a season in France and earn a spot by playing for NZ based sides before they picked him.

I always wonder about the context of the quote.

If he was asked a question would you like to play for the allblacks what person of NZ descent would say no? I'd say no one.

I am not particularly worried to be honest.
 
Exactly what I thought, but a very astute position for the Knights to take.

The Knights are probably doing it because no other club in the NrL that is considering chasing him after Nov 1 would. It seems like they are trying to get this over the line before the season starts which would be a big plus for the club.

I totally get it from that point of view but there is literally nothing to suggest Ponga will take up this union option at the moment anyway.
 
So basically the only motivation for the switch is money?

Nope not at all but it’s a big difference from over a million a year to something that could be drastically less. Especially when the career window for big money is so small.

He has always said he wanted to play for the All Blacks. He could very easily be the new SBW and switch from code to code around World Cup years.

This offer could very well be perfect in his eyes. I’ve always said in my opinion he would leave for union at some stage in his career. Before and after he signed for the Knights.

I think it’s a great move to offer this now with the upgraded contract to go on top before other clubs are legally aloud to talk to him and offer a contract.
 
Ponga has a lot to prove, this year could make or break him really. If he has a bad year then he could get called out
 
Ponga has a lot to prove, this year could make or break him really. If he has a bad year then he could get called out

He got away with it massively last season when he threw the towel in because he is the current media darling.

But that’s the same with most of the high profile players. Not many commentators would dare question them especially someone as popular as Ponga.
 
Plenty were questioning his ability at 5/8 last year when his move there wasn't working.

Ponga was disappointing last year, how much of that was on Brown and how he told him to play? Combined with players getting used to his jinking across the line and cut-out pass to the winger!

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/26/ponga-poaching-knights-fear-broncos-more-than-all-blacks/

Gardner states there will be no get out clause for union. And what is being negotiated is the length of extension with Ponga family saying any extension won't be for a long time.

Honestly, describing the club as "desperate suitors" is hardly the look you want.

And

I've always said publicly, I think KP will take less money to stay here. I think he's happy, I think the family's happy here.

Yet we are offering him a very rich contract if the media speculation is right. Is he trying to say Ponga would get more elsewhere and we are offering him unders?

He's always good for a quote.

Personally I think what is holding thins up is Ponga wants to know the Knights will be a premiership threat over this next contract period, so if he buggers off to Union, he has a shot at winning a premiership first.
 
As long as we get a premiership from the big fella I am happy for him to move on, likely he'd play his world cup and be back in 2-3 years after his carved it up for them.
 
Personally I think what is holding thins up is Ponga wants to know the Knights will be a premiership threat over this next contract period, so if he buggers off to Union, he has a shot at winning a premiership first.

I completely agree with this. I think he wants to get a feel if the team will be successful this year, honestly I can't blame him. I personally would be gutted if he left.
 
Fittler has now come out criticising Gardner and how he handled the Ponga interview, or that he had one at all. I have to agree.

Gardner seems to easily run at the mouth far too much and is far too willing to give a quote. I've commented on this previously and above, he really needs to zip it, take care of the business side of things and leave football comments to others.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/brad-f...tiations/aa6de362-55d9-4ed2-8526-856681e457b2
 
Why is it a bad thing that the CEO is updating the fans on the situation?. The funny thing is if no one said anything the media would say we lack a voice and leadership/vision in the front office.
He is going to get asked about it anyway

This is the same Fitler that was annoyed with the Roosters that his sacking was was quiet and yet leaked out at the same time with other people finding out before him despite the fact it was probably coming.

In other words who cares what Freddy the hypocrite thinks, damned if you do and damned if you don’t
 
Sure he is going to get asked, and should have responded with a standard "we are working with ponga and when he is ready we have an offer ready for him". And if asked about Rugby simply say that's a matter for the club and kalyn to determine any clause and that's it.

Not sure how he promotes the clubs interest saying we are desperate suitors and worried about Brisbane etc.
 
If you finally bought the team you always wanted to own and you turned it around to make the club successful wouldn't you say what you wanted I know I would ..The guy is very successful it seems like everything he and the other wests board members touch turns to gold . Also didn't he say when they bought the knights there would be greater transperacy now people don't want that . I say let him be and do and say what he wants .
 
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