Ponga not chosen for emerging Maroons

[mozgrame]

Queensland coach Kevin Walters has resisted the urge to stake an early claim for Kalyn Ponga's allegiances, overlooking the NRL prodigy for the 2017 Emerging Maroons squad.

Walters officially lifted a 12 month Origin ban on seven of the eight players who broke curfew at January's camp when he unveiled his 20-strong squad on Friday.

But Ponga was a glaring omission.

Ponga, 18, is one of the NRL's hottest properties after signing a lucrative four-year deal with Newcastle from 2018 despite playing just two first grade games.

It had been set to intensify the international tug of war over Ponga.

The Perth-born teenager is eligible to play for Australia and New Zealand thanks to his Kiwi dad but is yet to make up his mind.

Read more...http://www.skynewssport.com.au/rugbyleague-news-display/Ponga-not-chosen-for-emerging-Maroons/9403

 

[conanu]

Born in Perth to NZ parents but is eligible for QLD. Talk about a farce.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Born in Perth to NZ parents but is eligible for QLD. Talk about a farce.

" That's in Queensland " ( Perth , didn't you know that ????)

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I've played almost as many minutes of NRL football as Ponga (ie, zero) and I missed the squad, too. I'm pissed.

 

[HoldenV8]

" That's in Queensland " ( Perth , didn't you know that ????)

I thought Melbourne was in Qld.....😛

 

[Jatz Crackers]

I thought Australia was in Qld

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I thought Melbourne was in Qld.....😛

It is, even parts of NSW are!!

 

[bob dylan]

Is he on the nose?

 

[HoldenV8]

The kid has only played 2 top grade games and the reality is that he really only did one thing in those games (the weaving sideline run against Brisbane). While he has potential I personally think that Newcastle have paid massive overs for him right now.