Ponga withdraws from potential World Cup selection

Knights star Kalyn Ponga has officially withdrawn from potential selection for the Australian Kangaroos ahead of the rescheduled 2021 World Cup starting next month in England.

The Knights released a statement on Wednesday indicating Ponga had informed Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga he would make himself unavailable for the tournament in a bid to focus on Newcastle's return to pre-season training in November. 

The Knights were one of the most disappointing NRL sides in 2022 with Ponga restricted to just 14 appearances due to repeated head knocks, including a final one in Round 19 that ruled him out of the final six weeks of the season.

The 24-year-old was also recently cleared of any wrongdoing after being filmed coming out of a toilet cubicle in Newcastle with Knights teammate Kurt Mann last month.

"I understand the potential opportunities that may be missed by this decision, however, due to the year we have endured, I really want to commit on the upcoming pre-season,” Ponga said.

"My focus will sit firmly with nailing pre-season from the start, and I believe this decision is in the best interest of myself and the Knights."

Knights forward Daniel Saifiti has also previously indicated he will miss the tournament to focus on the club's hopeful turnaround in 2023, although he was named alongside his brother Jacob in a preliminary 33-man Fiji Bati squad on Wednesday.