Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien has confirmed that marquee man Kalyn Ponga has been “coaching at six all summer season” as he seems to be to make a everlasting transfer to the halves from fullback.
O’Brien revealed the choice to maneuver Ponga to five-eighth was made after the 24-year-old was dominated out for the remaining six weeks throughout final yr’s NRL season following common concussion points.
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“When Kalyn was dominated out for the top of the (2022) season along with his HIA points, the choice was made then,” O’Brien mentioned on SEN.
“If we have been ever going to maneuver Kalyn to 6, now was the time.
“Basically, we have had 5 months to alter his coaching program and he is clearly put some dimension on.
“He is been coaching at six all summer season and he is been doing a very good job at it.”
Ponga had an injury-plagued season in 2022 with the ending in 14th place with solely six wins and questions unanswered about what their backbone would appear to be shifting ahead.
Ponga has been below heavy scrutiny on the Knights after he signed a brand new five-year contract final April value over $1 million per season, plus he carries the accountability of being the staff’s captain.
O’Brien mentioned the Knights have numerous gamers who can fill Ponga’s earlier place of fullback subsequent season.
“We have had numerous guys practice (at fullback) over the summer season akin to younger Bailey Hodgson who’s lastly harm free,” the Knights coach mentioned.
“He is educated there a lot of the summer season alongside guys like Dane Gagai and Tyson Gamble has spent a while again there.
“Strengthening that fullback spot stays a precedence for us.”
New recruit Jackson Hastings, who spent final season on the Wests Tigers, will accomplice Ponga within the halves, with O’Brien assured that the skilled Hastings will make Ponga’s transition into the halves “a lot simpler”.
“He is (Hastings) undoubtedly a footy head,” O’Brien mentioned.
“He is aware of the sport effectively and he is a common. He’ll steer the staff round, he is very vocal and he is very clear about what he needs these round him to do.
“That enables Kalyn to be himself and would not bathroom him down with a number of accountability of being a director.
“On the finish of the day, you need Jackson to steer the staff round and get Kalyn the ball within the house that we have to get him in.
“They’re working rather well collectively in the mean time.”
The Knights will start their 2023 NRL season in opposition to the Warriors in Wellington on March 3.
