NRL News: Ponga explains Kangaroo plays as DCE makes Origin call, Aussies snubbed for Super honors

Kalin Ponga has admitted he made a mistake in being ruled out of Australia’s Test squad race, admitting he should have approached coach Mal Meninga earlier.

Ponga attempted to make himself unavailable for selection at the Pacific Championship last week when he announced he wanted to prioritize Newcastle’s pre-season.

This received a strong ‘please explain’ response from the NRL, which highlighted the contractual responsibility of players to be made available for representative duties.

Meninga also expressed his disappointment over the incident at not being contacted earlier, before Ponga eventually backed down on the call and made himself available.

Australia’s selectors will meet next week to determine their squad for the tournament and whether to hand Ponga his debut in the Kangaroos team as a fullback.

“I misunderstood the process,” Ponga told AAP. “My intentions were never malicious. I was just trying to do what I thought was best for me and the club.

“I understand that I did it wrong. But I think everything is resolved now.”

Asked whether, if he had the time, he would have told Meninga before issuing a public statement, Ponga said: “I would definitely make some changes”.

Then asked if he was fit and mentally fresh to play if selected, Ponga replied: “Yes. I am feeling very good. Now it is all resolved.”

Meninga will have to take a decision when he announces his squad next week.

Current captain James Tedesco is hoping to retain his No. 1 jumper after being left out of NSW’s State of Origin team this year.

Dylan Edwards, his replacement at Origin level, is the other option at fullback, along with Ponga.

Daly Cherry-Evans is likely to be first-choice halfback after Ivan Cleary confirmed that his son Nathan will almost certainly need shoulder surgery.

Cherry-Evans admitted last month that he was unlikely to be selected if Cleary was available, but said he was keen to wear the Kangaroos jersey again.

“I’m definitely excited to potentially play,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I have not booked a holiday, we will just wait and see what happens. Fingers crossed for Monday.”

The Manly captain said it was unlikely the series would be a representative swansong, and he hoped to find himself available to lead Queensland again next year.

Out of contract at the end of next season, the 35-year-old previously said he would consider his future this summer but hopes to sign at least one more deal.

“I’m always looking forward to continuing playing,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I have to think about how long I want to play in the NRL, and if I want to play in the NRL forever and ever one day, something has to give at some stage.

“But I don’t think it’s right right now.”

In line for duty super honor

Matt Dutty is the latest Australian NRL export in line to win the Man of Steel award after being shortlisted for British rugby league’s top individual honour.

The former Warrington Dragons and Bulldogs fullback has been rewarded for his extraordinary season with Wolves, during which his elusive running made him Super League’s top meter-maker with 4234 meters – 457 more than nearest rival Ryan Hall.

It earns the 28-year-old from Hurstville, NSW a place in the three-man shortlist alongside perhaps two of the league’s best halfbacks, Hull KR’s Mickey Lewis and Salford’s Mark Sneyd.

Dutty could become the third Australian in consecutive years, following Wigan’s Bevan French last year and Salford’s Brodie Croft in 2022 – and the fifth in seven years – to collect the Man of Steel award, should he be given the nod at next Tuesday’s awards ceremony in Leeds. Needed

And he will be the 10th Australian to receive this honor in its 47-year history.

Lewis, 23, who has scored 18 tries this season, and Dufty, who has crossed the whitewash 17 times, will go head-to-head this weekend when Rovers host Warrington for a place in the Super League grand final.

Lewis is widely considered to have been an outstanding Super League performer this campaign, leading his team to second place in the league and scoring a personal tally of 216 points.

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Hull KR loose forward Gavin Miller, the Australian who was the first overseas player to collect the award in 1986.