Kalyn Ponga to play for NZ at Rugby League World Cup
Jasper Bruce |
Kalyn Ponga is set to play for New Zealand at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup after the International Rugby League board approved his application to defect from Australia.
The Newcastle superstar told AAP at this year’s NRL season launch he would consider switching allegiances from Australia to represent New Zealand, the country of his father’s birth.
Ponga subsequently wrote to the IRL and was considered to have a strong case given a nines tournament in 2019 marked his only senior appearances for Australia.
Ponga controversially ruled himself out of Kangaroos duty in 2024 to focus on the NRL pre-season.
At an IRL board meeting on Wednesday night, Ponga’s application to switch allegiances was unanimously approved, clearing the way for his first Kiwis appearances at this year’s World Cup.
The acquisition of Ponga is a boost to New Zealand’s hopes of a first title since 2008, and he will join James Fisher-Harris, Leo Thompson and Knights teammate Dylan Brown among high-profile Kiwis in selection consideration.
The switch also means Ponga will never represent the Kangaroos, with tier-one eligibility changes considered final by the IRL.
Flipping allegiances to New Zealand would previously have meant 10-time Queensland representative Ponga turning his back on State of Origin.
But as of mid-February, New Zealand and England internationals are able to play Origin provided they were born in NSW or Queensland, their father played Origin or they resided in either state prior to their 13th birthday.
Ponga is one of the NRL’s few Western Australian-born players but lived in Queensland in his youth so he remains eligible.
AAP