Kalyn Ponga should reject the attempts of Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett to lure him from the Knights and instead reap the advantages of Newcastle’s established roster, according to Billy Slater.
The rugby league icon has urged Ponga to remain contracted with the Knights after a report surfaced claiming Bennett had travelled to Newcastle in a bid to poach the megastar fullback for the Dolphins, who’ll play their first season in the NRL in 2023.
Ponga is contracted to the Knights until the end of 2024 but the last two seasons are options in his favour, so he is effectively a free agent.
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“It’s a big ask to go because they’re going to have to build from the ground up, the Dolphins,” Slater said on Wide World of Sports’ Billy’s Breakdown.
“I don’t like the term ‘rebuild’ or ‘building’, but they haven’t got enough players at the moment. They need players.
“I’d be staying in Newcastle if I was Kalyn.”
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Despite encouraging Ponga to stay with Newcastle, Slater highlighted Bennett’s shrewdness in pursuing the Queensland Maroons ace.
The Dolphins have been slow in their securing of players despite Bennett’s legendary coaching status and the attainment of recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan, who crossed from the Warriors at the end of last season.
“You just get the feeling that the Dolphins need a big catch… and you feel that if they get Kalyn Ponga they will get two or three after him. I think the first one is going to be the hard one to get,” Slater said.
“They’ve got some soldiers on the ground: Felise Kaufusi, the Bromwich brothers (Jesse and Kenny), Mark Nicholls is signed up there, Ray Stone.
“… they’ve got the soldiers there to create a good work ethic and some good standards, but they need a big fish like Kalyn Ponga.
“So, I understand why Wayne Bennett would head down to Newcastle and try to entice him to go to Brisbane.”
Ponga in February insisted he was committed to sticking with the Knights and winning an NRL title with the club.
“I’m locked in. I’m dedicated to winning a comp here,” Ponga told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s all I want to do, it’s really all I think about. I don’t know why, there’s always speculation I’m going elsewhere.
“But I’m really enjoying this group of men, being here at the Knights, so I’m excited.”
Ponga will next suit up for Newcastle in a clash with Manly in the Hunter on Thursday night.
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