Kalyn Ponga needed just 150 minutes of football, including ten minutes playing with a broken arm, to pip Reece Walsh for the prestigious Golden Boot award as the best player in international rugby league.
Ponga capped a remarkable season, in which he led Newcastle to the NRL grand final appearance, by clinching international rugby league’s highest individual honour on Thursday night. The special moment was celebrated with the entire New Zealand squad in attendance in Brisbane.
The 28-year-old broke his arm against the Kangaroos in the World Cup opener last month, when the fullback and opposite Walsh were outstanding. Ponga later required 11 screws and a plate inserted in his arm, and returned three weeks later to star against Tonga in the semi-final.
Walsh scored a hat-trick for Australia in their semi against Samoa and has been outstanding for Australia, but few will begrudge Ponga getting the nod.
The battle between the two fullbacks will go a long way to deciding who wins the World Cup final at a packed Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.
With the NRL player market in overdrive after the opening of the free agency period on November 1, Ponga’s decision to extend his deal with the Knights through to the end of 2030 back in April suddenly looks like the best piece of business done by a club this year.
Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook said he was unsurprised by his captain’s quickfire return in time for the business end of the World Cup.
“He’s a great leader in his own way, and I’m glad he’s getting the accolades around his toughness now – the way he played for us in the finals series and what he’s done getting back so quickly for New Zealand – and the way he puts his body on the line – I’m glad he’s getting the rewards he deserves,” Holbrook said.
“The one thing that [first stood out to me about Ponga] was how competitive he was, and how much he wants to win. His persona is how relaxed and calm he is, and that can be misinterpreted as a lack of competitiveness. But that’s never been the case.
“I admire how he goes after everything 100 miles an hour and wants to win.”
As for his all-important contract extension earlier this year, Holbrook said: “After meeting him and working with him a short amount of time [earlier this year], I definitely wanted him to stay because I knew how important he was.
“He’s always been a great player. What we’re talking about now though is his leadership has gone to another level, his toughness is being recognised, and he’s such a great person as well. I’m really glad he’s staying.
“I had to come in and do a good job myself, play my part and prove to him we were going to turn the club around. He wants success, we fell short in the grand final, I’ll be happy if he gets success in the World Cup final.”
Meanwhile, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters played down suggestions he alone knows the secret to getting the best out of Walsh, especially the mercurial fullback fell below his high standards with Brisbane this season.
“We have a good relationship, and I just allow him to express himself,” said Walters said of Walsh. “If you look at his last six games for Australia, if you include the Ashes, he’s been pretty good. Look at the vision. The whole team supports him, they understand who he is and what he’s about.”
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