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Kalyn Ponga’s Availability in Doubt: Knights Face Dragons Clash
Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien is yet to confirm whether star fullback Kalyn Ponga will take the field against the st George Illawarra Dragons this Friday. Ponga, fresh from Wednesday night’s Origin match, has expressed his eagerness to play, but O’Brien is carefully considering his options.
The Knights are preparing for a tight contest against the Dragons, who are just two points ahead of them on the ladder. With a short turnaround and another game next thursday, O’Brien is prioritizing Ponga’s health and the team’s overall strategy.
Ponga’s Keenness to Play Amidst Coaching Concerns
Despite a tough night at Suncorp Stadium, Kalyn Ponga has made it clear he wants to play.”I Spoke To Him This Morning And He’s Keen To Play,” O’Brien said, acknowledging Ponga’s eagerness to get back on the field after a loss.
O’Brien emphasized the importance of assessing Ponga’s condition firsthand.”It’s Important That I Meet Him This Afternoon Down in Sydney And Get Eyes On Him And Work Out What’s Right For Him, But Also What’s Right For us Given The Fact That We Trained Without Him All week And Some Guys Got The Job Done Last Week.”
He added, “There Are A Few Things To Consider, But First And Foremost I Want To Make Sure That He’s Healthy,” highlighting the need to balance Ponga’s enthusiasm with the team’s long-term interests.
Fletcher Sharpe Ready to Step Up
If Ponga is rested, Fletcher Sharpe is poised to take over the fullback role. Sharpe impressed in the Knights’ recent win over the Panthers and is ready to fill the void if needed.
“If Kalyn Doesn’t Play,Naturally ‘Sharpey’ Will Go Back There,” O’Brien confirmed. He also noted the advantage Ponga brings to the team, stating, “Any Team That’s Got kalyn Ponga In It, It Gives You A Better Chance Of Winning.” However, he remains mindful of the demanding schedule, “Fullbacks Cover A Fair Bit Of Ground And We’ve Got A Short Turnaround Next Week So It’ll End Up Being Three Games In Eight Days. There’s A bit To Factor In.”
Team Lineups and Late Mail
Here are the confirmed team lineups and late mail for the upcoming games:
Friday
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights, 8pm AEST at Jubilee Stadium
| Team | Key Players | Late Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Dragons | Clinton Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Corps Stewart | Nathan Lawson to make his NRL debut, replacing Christian Tuipulotu. Valentine Holmes to back up from Origin. |
| Knights | Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, dane Gagai | Kalyn Ponga’s availability is uncertain. Fletcher Sharpe to shift to fullback if Ponga is rested. |
Saturday
Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm,3pm AEST
