New Zealand players court Kalyn Ponga as he considers representing them after State of Origin eligibility rule changes.
New Zealand players and officials have launched a charm offensive on Kalyn Ponga as the Newcastle superstar weighs up his representative future in the wake of a dramatic overhaul of the State of Origin eligibility rules.
Ponga has openly admitted that he is considering pledging his allegiance to the Kiwis, a decision that would have ended his Origin career until Monday morning, when the ARL Commission made the stunning decision to allow England and New Zealand players to represent Queensland and NSW.
The one caveat is that they meet the Origin eligibility guidelines by either being born in Queensland or NSW, or having lived there before the age of 13.
Ponga aside, the landmark decision could have major ramifications for the representative careers of a host of players including Sydney Roosters star Victor Radley, Gold Coast dynamo AJ Brimson, Cronulla prop Addin Fonua-Blake, Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa and Canberra fullback Kaio Weekes.
Penrith centre Casey McLean and Cronulla back rower Briton Nikora, both of whom have played for New Zealand, are now also eligible to play for NSW.