'Big-game player': The spark igniting Ponga's finals charge
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The Knights have backed Kalyn Ponga to continue his sensational run of form as they chase a historic victory in Sunday's semi-final at a sold-out Eden Park.
Newcastle have travelled to Auckland desperate to upset the Warriors in front of a record crowd and claim their first finals win in New Zealand.
It's been three years since the Knights last played a final across the Tasman, the Warriors prevailing 40-10 on that occasion.
Ponga's form this season has eclipsed that from 2023, in which he led Newcastle on a nine-game winning streak and charged to the Dally M Medal with a sensational finish to the year.
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Sunday's match provides a homecoming for the Māori All Star and centre Bradman Best said the fullback travelled to New Zealand with a steely look in his eye.
"He's grown into his leadership role," Best told NRL.com. "He's the captain of our club and what he's doing off the field is translating to the field.
"He's a big-game player and does a job every week. He's very consistent and fills the whole team with excitement and confidence. It's always good when he's running out in this form."
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Ponga has long been viewed as one of the biggest names in the game but injuries have limited his impact on the field over the past few years.
The fullback became just the sixth player to debut in a finals game for the Cowboys in 2016 before joining the Knights two years later.
Queensland State of Origin honours followed but club success has been harder to come by.
That all changed this year, with new coach Justin Holbrook unlocking Ponga's lethal attacking skills in a high-octane system.
Kalyn Ponga Try
The fullback has 14 try assists and 12 linebreaks this season as the Knights went from wooden spooners to the most exciting team in the competition.
A laidback personality off the field, Ponga has faced criticism at times for his relaxed attitude but Best has noticed a new mindset in his captain throughout the season.
"He's pretty easy-going but he's taking his footy seriously," Best said. "He's really buying into it and leading by example. He's always putting his input in and talking up.
"He holds everyone to a higher standard, especially at training and on the field. That's showing and he's celebrating all the little wins. When we're playing under the bright lights he fills the boys up with a lot of confidence."
Among the biggest beneficiaries of Ponga's form have been the Newcastle halves, with Holbrooks' side effectively playing with three playmakers.
The fullback's presence takes the pressure of Sandon Smith and Fletcher Sharpe to create attacking opportunities, however they must remain switched on at all times and deliver him the football when demanded.
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The chance to play alongside Ponga was among the key factors in Smith's decision to join the Knights this year and he quickly noticed the positive impact on his own performances.
"Playing with [James Tedesco] was similar," Smith said. "You want the ball in your best player's hands as much as possible. One of my roles is to get Kalyn good ball and that's part of my job that I enjoy doing.
"When I create that space for Kalyn and then he sets up a try, I pat myself on the back knowing I contributed to that play for him. It's been awesome playing with a star player like that."
After 27 epic rounds, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 4.05pm Sunday live on Nine, Kayo and Sky Sports.
