Kalyn Ponga makes call on NRL future as desperate Dolphins circle

The deal, announced on Wednesday, removes the threat of the 24-year-old linking up with the Wayne Bennett-led Dolphins when they enter the NRL next year.

Ponga was one of the Dolphins’ primary targets and the 17th club is now expected to heavily chase under-contract Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster.Ponga had until June 1 to inform Knights management of his decision to exercise an option in his contract to stay at the club in 2023. The player options in the final two years of his four-year deal, which he signed in 2020, yielded all the negotiating power to the Queensland State of Origin representative.The clauses allowed Ponga the chance to walk out on the club at short notice to switch codes to rugby union or link with another club such as the Dolphins.

Bennett recently met the Knights fullback in an attempt to lure him to the Dolphins for their inaugural NRL campaign. But the new Knights deal eliminates those clauses and the chance for Ponga to switch clubs until the end of the 2027 season.

kalyn_ponga NRLKnights

.Kalyn_Ponga has become the NRL's $5 million man in a mega-deal to stay at the NRLKnights for the next five years. This afternoon, Ponga confirmed he will remain in red and blue until at least the end of 2027. NRL 7NEWS

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