Five-eighth Kalyn Ponga has bounced back to form and inspired Newcastle to a 46-26 win over Gold Coast that pushes his case for State of Origin selection and silences critics of the Knights’ bye-week holiday schedule.
Ponga was completely outgunned in his first full game at No.6 two weeks ago in a performance that raised serious concerns about his ability to compete in the defensive front line on his shift from fullback.
But while his teammates shipped out to Bali, Fiji, Tasmania and beyond during Newcastle’s round-10 break — copping plenty of media criticism — Ponga spent the bye putting in extra work at training to prove he could return to his best after his concussion problems.
The extra reps paid off in a big way at McDonald Jones Stadium, with Ponga enjoying his best game for the Knights in recent memory to help them to a first win since round six.
The Titans had the better of a scrappy opening half but Ponga put the Knights back on level terms at the break when he threaded the ball through the line with a grubber kick for Tyson Frizell in the final seconds of the first half.
He lifted his intensity after the break, first sending former Titan Greg Marzhew over with a cutout pass and then scything past Tanah Boyd and Jojo Fifita on a line break that set up Bradman Best.
Kalyn Ponga is jostling with Reece Walsh for the Maroons’ fullback spot.Credit: Getty
The Best try restored the Knights’ lead but Ponga was not yet done. He burst down the left flank on another line break only three minutes later and then dummied past Jayden Campbell to score a try of his own.
Newcastle were well and truly on the front foot by that point and did not surrender their advantage.