Kalyn Ponga to remain at Newcastle as speculation mounts on coach Adam O'Brien
Midway through a tough eighth season at the club, Ponga was this week linked with a move to rugby union, with reports claiming he had engaged the services of an agent in New Zealand.
Ponga has a lucrative contract that ends in 2027 but the report hinted that he could possibly walk as early as this year.
But Ponga took to social media to insist he would be with the Knights through to the end of his current deal.
'Committed to the end of 2027,' Ponga posted on Instagram.
'Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me!'
The report noted that the Ponga camp had made no official approach to the Knights about an early exit from the club.
But it said he had 'engaged the services of a New Zealand rugby union agent' amid feelings he was wasting his prime years as a player at the Knights.
It also said some key people at the Knights were also open to a discussion about Ponga's future.
But with Ponga breaking his silence about his contract, Newcastle fans can rest easy.
And the news is a boost to a Knights side that would likely have needed to move Fletcher Sharpe out of the halves to replace Ponga at fullback had he left for the 15-man code next year.
That would have left Newcastle without a clear front-runner to partner big-money recruit Dylan Brown in the halves when he arrives from Parramatta in 2026.
Ponga has struggled for form on an individual level this year and is currently sidelined with a season-ending foot injury.
It came as speculation mounts that coach Adam O'Brien could be shown the door at the end of the season as Newcastle appear destined to miss the top eight.
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