NRL and Queensland Origin star Kalyn Ponga says he would strive to be an All Black if he ever returned to rugby, the code he played so successfully as a schoolboy.
The Knights star, who has Māori heritage through his Kiwi parents, was an athletic prodigy who was coveted by professional teams in three codes in Australia having been a star in golf, Aussie rules and rugby union, as well as league.
“Obviously, that (playing for the All Blacks) would be a huge goal, if I was to come back to union I’d want to tick,” Ponga told Marae.
“I’m not too sure what my future holds whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes but if I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper, it’s the pinnacle.”
Like so many others, Ponga was in awe of what the All Blacks had achieved.
“They’re the best sporting organisation in the world, stats have showed that and the way they hold themselves, their values, their morals, the little things they do make them that step above everyone else,” he said.
“To put that jersey on would be special.”
Eligible for both the Kiwis and Australia, Ponga elected to play for the Kangaroos and Queensland but his father, Andre, said putting on a different black jersey would be massive.
“For us, if it’s not a Kiwi jumper, if there’s a possibility there might be an All Black jumper well geez, that’ something different, delving into a different world again,” he said.
“That would be massive, I’m only speaking for myself.”
For now, Ponga is focussing on the Knights and achieving his goals in the NRL.
“I’ve got three years on my contract with the Knights and I’ve got some things I want to achieve in that time.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of that, playing at the pinnacle has always been my goal, we’ll have to wait and see.”
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