Kalyn Ponga

[Kelby]

RUGBY EYES TEEN PRODIGY


"Cowboys 20s fullback Kalyn Ponga makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia
Super Rugby franchise Queensland Reds are believed to be chasing North Queensland young gun Kalyn Ponga.
The fullback formally rejected a contract extension from the Cowboys last week with a code swap the biggest threat the club faces in their bid to keep the exciting prospect.
Still only a teenager, Ponga’s NRL pathway is blocked by Lachlan Coote, with the club re-signing the custodian on a new two-year-deal last month.
The Courier Mail reported last week that Brisbane are keen on the teenager who comes off contract at the end of 2017 but should Ponga enter the open market, it’s hard to see him not attracting the interest of all 16 NRL clubs and Market Watch has heard that the Reds are the Cowboys’ biggest competition."

Our new full back and a payback for flogging all our players over the years.

[Kingsgrove-Loiner]

And he would be better than Mitchell because......?

[Guest]

Why would he be our new fullback when we have Latrell Mitchell?

[Tommy Smith]

Yeah, I'll echo the above sentiments.

Did Latrell Mitchell just disappear into a black hole or something?

[Guest]

Who?

[Thirteen]

Ever heard of Latrell Mitchell?
Go post this crap on a women's rugby forum.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Ponga can play 5/8 as well.. This kid is an absolute freak and has the potential to be the best player in the game.

[Bigchook]

Ponga can play 5/8 as well.. This kid is an absolute freak and has the potential to be the best player in the game.

I daresay he would have been playing fullback or 5/8 next year in a switch with Morgan if coote didn't resign. Now that he has though he may have to bide his time. Would be a luxury to debut in a team with the two aus front rowers, the best player in the game and Morgan. Compare that to what latrell went through..

[Guest]

Ahh poo-tential

[Cockadoodledoo]

I daresay he would have been playing fullback or 5/8 next year in a switch with Morgan if coote didn't resign. Now that he has though he may have to bide his time. Would be a luxury to debut in a team with the two aus front rowers, the best player in the game and Morgan. Compare that to what latrell went through..

I expect the Bronco's will have a major crack at him as a long term replacement for Boyd, though both the Cowboys and the Broncos should be able to make big offers with all the third party deals they have up there. I doubt Morgan would ever switch back to fullback, Ponga more likely would have started at fullback. Will be interesting to see what happens to him.

[Rooster_6]

Where would he play him?

We've already got 3 of the best youngsters in the game in positions I assume people would be eyeing him for.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Where would he play him?

We've already got 3 of the best youngsters in the game in positions I assume people would be eyeing him for.

We aren't going to sign him, however imho both Hastings and Pearce are organising style halves, we lack what the Broncos and Cowboys have in a great ball running option there. In fact neither Pearce or Hastings have the running game of any of those 4. Connor Watson is interesting but he could end up as a dummy half.

[Bigchook]

We aren't going to sign him, however imho both Hastings and Pearce are organising style halves, we lack what the Broncos and Cowboys have in a great ball running option there. In fact neither Pearce or Hastings have the running game of any of those 4. Connor Watson is interesting but he could end up as a dummy half.

Pearce has a great running game. We haven't seen it for a while but I expect we will soon.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Pearce has a great running game. We haven't seen it for a while but I expect we will soon.

I expect to see Elvis and Harold Holt first. Pearce is a good support runner at times but is fairly predictable when attacking at the line. Pearce has had 16 line breaks total for the period 2013-2015. 4 in 2013, 8 in 2014 and 4 in 2015, that is terrible for someone who would supposedly have a great running game. Ben Hunt had 31 alone in 2014 (20) and 2015 (11) when he was first choice half and has 7 so far this season. Michael Morgan had 20 last season in his first full year at 5/8 and 11 the season before.

Obviously Pearce has a better running game than halves like Jeff Robson or Jamie Soward but there is no evidence based on his career to date that he has a great running game. I remember back when Adrian Lam was halfback he consistently chalked up around 20-25 line breaks a season and added around 20 try assists per season, yet he gets bagged a lot for being over rated.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Where would he play him?

We've already got 3 of the best youngsters in the game in positions I assume people would be eyeing him for.

True...for some people the grass is always greener on the other side whilst overlooking our own beautiful garden.