Kalyn Ponga isn’t fazed by making tackles.
At 93 kilos, the nib Newcastle Knights playmaker is a solid defender.
We all know this. Afterall, it was on show when he pulled on the maroon jersey for Queensland in State of Origin last year.
But what about his attack?
He played one game in the halves in 2018 but some critics believe a move into the halves could stifle his creativity.
It’s not something Ponga is worried about and with one of the games best halves in Mitchell Pearce by his side, he’s confident his game will continue to flourish.
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"I grabbed a lot of confidence out of that Origin debut of mine because I was in the front line and I have to make tackles,” Ponga told Fox Sports News.
“I sort of know that I can do it when it comes down to it.
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“Working in the halves throughout the pre-season with Pearcey and our spine has been good for me.
“I’ve probably got one of the best players to learn off there in Mitchell Pearce. He’s been helping me a lot.
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“If I’ve got to make those tackles, I’ll make those tackles and then I’ll get the ball more, which I’m excited to do.”
The role of five-eighth is slightly different at every NRL club.
Some play on one side of the field, while others float around and the young gun loves the idea of being free.
It seems coach Nathan Brown loves it too.
That’s why Ponga is adamant the move wouldn’t take away from his ability to be a threat in broken play.
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“I’ll still be given a licence to roam and I want to have that licence,” Ponga told Fox Sports News.
“I don’t want to be stuck on one side. I think that limits you over there.
“Obviously there will be times when I will be stuck to a side and that’s the structure of our game.
“But broken play I want to be pushing to where the ball is and everyone flowing.
“So, I can just roam everywhere like I was last year.”
