Knights celebrity Kalyn Ponga is about to entrance the media on Monday morning for the primary time because the notorious bathroom cubicle scandal — and The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield has referred to as for him to “show a little bit of remorse”.
In August final yr, Ponga, alongside teammate Kurt Mann, was filmed leaving a rest room cubicle in a Newcastle pub, being ushered out of the venue by employees.
Both gamers have been injured on the time and neither acquired any punishment for his or her actions which garnered widespread criticism.
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Now, Rothfield has questioned why the marquee star was ”hidden away” for six months within the aftermath of the incident and referred to as on Ponga to recognise his wrongdoing.
It has additionally been revealed a ratchet clause in Ponga’s contract has seen his yearly wage soar to a reported $1.4 million-per-season — making him one of many NRL’s highest earners.
“Kalyn Ponga was out with the repercussions of concussion and any doctor will tell you… if you are suffering from concussion or repeated concussions you are supposed to have three to six months off alcohol,” Rothfield mentioned on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“Ponga last year, bought a new house in Newcastle, grabbed Kurt Mann and spent the afternoon at the pub while their team was being flogged interstate.
“They were both sprung on a video that went on social media leaving a toilet cubicle, it was a really bad look for the club, there was suggestions they swept it under the carpet.
“The NRL Integrity Unit let it go, now he’s a go that is one $1.4 million this year, obviously the ratchet clause comes into his contract with the new salary cap.
“This guy is a potential champion of the game… to his credit, I am having a crack at his for not being professional on that day on the booze, but they say he’s the best trainer at the club, not just the best player.
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“He’s super fit despite a calf injury, but I’d just like to see him today at this press conference, as captain of the club, I think it is important to take a bit of ownership and tell people what happened.
“Show a little bit of remorse, I don’t like the fact that he’s been hidden away for the last six months.”
Ponga is at the moment sporting a calf harm and is unlikely to characteristic within the pre-season problem after taking part in solely 14 video games final season.
Even while carrying the niggling harm, Newcastle assistant coach Andrew Johns couldn’t be extra impressed with the million-dollar gun who’s making the transfer to the halves this season.
“Kalyn does things at training and you just shake your head,” Johns mentioned to News Corp.
“Mate he’s so gifted. Some of the things he does … it’s frightening.
“As for the pressure and expectations, it doesn’t seem to bother him.”
Knights coach Adam O’Brien has recruited two new backbone gamers, hoping to unlock Ponga who’s making the swap to five-eighth.
Jackson Hastings, who was stable on debut in opposition to the Sharks, will put on the No.7 jersey whereas former Olympian Lachie Miller is about to line up at fullback.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
