‘That process needs to improve’: Mal Meninga confident Kalyn Ponga still wants to represent Australia but says communication must improve

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‘That process needs to improve’: Mal Meninga confident Kalyn Ponga still wants to represent Australia but says communication must improve

Mal Meninga says any conversations between him and Kalyn Ponga will remain private, with the Kangaroos coach hopeful the fiasco will lead to better communication between players, clubs and the national side.

Ponga dropped a bombshell on Tuesday when he made himself unavailable for the Pacific Championships that begin next month, with the Knights fullback focused on the upcoming pre-season with Newcastle after they were knocked out in the first week of the finals.

“I want to win a comp, for me anything short of that, isn’t success,” he said.

“My focus has never shifted from wanting to win a premiership with the Knights – that has been my goal since I joined the club in 2018 and continues to be my focus.

“When I’m done, I want to look back at my career with a positive reflection, including people saying ‘he was a great signing and represented our community to the best of his ability’.

“For now, I don’t feel like I have earned that yet, that’s why I have made this decision and will work hard every day to chase those goals.”

That decision didn’t go down well with former players upset that one of the brightest stars in the game didn’t want to represent his country.

Meninga has done a terrific job in helping rebuild the international game, and he was bitterly disappointed with Ponga’s decision and the Knights star not reaching out to explain it.

There have been calls for Ponga to be suspended next season and miss State of Origin, with the fullback making his return to the Queensland side in game three after overcoming a serious foot injury earlier this year.

“(I found out) just through the press release, unfortunately,” Meninga said on SEN 1170 The Throwdown.

“That’s the first I think anyone knew about it. I’m assuming the Newcastle club as well (didn’t know). I think this was done independently, that’s my read on it all.

“I’ve spoken to Kalyn in confidence and that conversation will stay private.”

While others want Meninga to put the red line through Ponga’s name, the Kangaroos coach isn’t willing to go that far and can understand why he’s put his club ahead of his country.

“I think he wants to play for his country,” Meninga said.

“Just at the moment, he feels like that’s not on his agenda and he made a decision that he wants to devote and repay the Knights and how they’ve stuck by him as well.

“I think that’s a fair excuse, to be honest with you.

“I feel that it’s the process that we need to improve. We need to get better communication out of the clubs and players and vice-versa. That process needs to improve.

“This is a catalyst to allow that to happen.”

Ponga’s absence means Dylan Edwards or James Tedesco will likely start at fullback next month, with the pair both having terrific seasons.

Edwards replaced Tedesco in the Blues side, but the Roosters skipper has been in ominous form lately and is coming off one of his best club games in the win over Manly as he eyes a sixth Jack Gibson Medal as the club’s top player.

“I’m not on the selection panel, but Teddy’s been one of the best players this year,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

“It’s been there for everyone to see the way that he’s dominated our team, so I don’t think there’ll be any surprises in a couple of weeks at our awards night.

“People underestimate Ted. He’s not outspoken and he just goes about his work consistently well, but there’s such a hardness in his mindset around the way that he prepares for every game.

“When times get difficult, Teddy turns up always – not sometimes – always. It’s an amazing trait that he’s got that he’s had for some time.”

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