Tosh

We’ll have to agree to disagree but it’s a moot point anyway as he’s never showed any inclination of playing for the kiwis. Personally as a neutral I would love to see him pull on the kiwi jersey just like Ronaldo did.

He can cover the halves as well.

Wasn’t he quoted as saying it’s a lifelong ambition of his to play for the AB’s?

That spine along with smith at #9 and their forward pack would be scary good.

I wasn’t comparing ponga to either manu, cnk, Rapana or Martin but that the selectors and kiwi fans wouldn’t accept ponga now after rejecting them for Queensland.

You’d hope so but cost of living and all that. Personally I’d take a low GF crowd with Salford v Huddersfield over a saints v wigan final.

Didn’t I say I agreed with you?

I think that ship has already sailed as the kiwis have multiple options at fullback and in the halves.

I agree but potentially the lowest GF crowd?

They don’t exist until they are awarded a license.

Replace them with expansion sides near to the “heartlands”. Teams like Manchester, Nottingham and carlisle perhaps?

I think the knights have stifled his progress and career. Even if he had stayed with the cowboys I think he’s a different player.

With all the defections from the kangaroos origin rule changes could potentially take a turn for the worse.

I can see the dolphins struggling for a couple of seasons until all the best Queensland junior talent they’ve snapped up breakthrough into 1st grade. Longterm the dolphins will be a powerhouse because of their wealth and location.

Too many.

Shame really as the knights are probably the best supported NRL side other than the broncos even with them being a basket case.

The dolphins have dodged a bullet imo.

I was going to say that cleary is different because he can only represent Australia but I think he was either born in NZ or lived there for a good portion of his youth? The ponga situation highlights both the lack of international games played by Australia and the standing of state of origin over international RL.

The knights are a basket case of a club with too much weight and responsibility placed on ponga’s shoulders. Similar situation with fifita at the titans.

Hence why he should have chosen NZ over Queensland. Also turbo and Mitchell could play centre for the kangaroos while ponga would surely make the bench?

Indeed. It’s holding our game back both in countries where it’s established and expansion countries.

24 years of age NRL superstar of nearly 100 games hasn’t played a single international match. Damning indictment of international RL and more importantly the ARL’s attitude to international RL and the massive negative impact state of origin is having on the overall game. Also I’m pretty sure ponga would have racked up a few appearances for the kiwis had he chosen NZ over Queensland.