Kalyn Ponga Australian Kangaroos snub, does he want to play for New Zealand or All Blacks instead, James Hooper latest news – MASHAHER

This is the TVNZ video which casts doubt over reigning Dally M Medallist Kalyn Ponga’s decision to snub the green and gold Kangaroo jumper.

Does Ponga want to play for Australia or does he want to play for the Kiwis or the All Blacks?

You be the judge.

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The video is titled The Kalyn Ponga story: Family, Identity and the All Blacks.

To be fair to Kalyn the interview was done with TVNZ’s Maori television channel five and a half years ago.

But what’s abundantly clear is where Ponga and his father Andre’s allegiance lies.

“It’s a very important part of my heritage. It’s who I am. It’s the values and morals embedded in me through my uncles and my Dad.

“They’ve pretty much made me who I am. Every one of my uncles pretty much raised me with that Maori heritage and if it wasn’t for that I don’t think I’d be here or doing what I love doing and having the support that I do.”

INTERVIEWER: “You’ve got the Maori sidestep?”

“I think I do. I do actually. If you look at all the best steppers they’re Maori or have some sort of heritage in them,” Ponga said.

“I’d say it’s safe to claim that.”

Being Maori is an important part of who Ponga is – which is completely understandable, it’s part of his culture.

But what’s perplexing is if Ponga was so torn about who to represent initially then why choose Queensland and Australia before now turning his back on the Kangaroos?

Then again, we probably should have read between the lines when there were All Blacks get-out clauses included in Ponga’s previous Newcastle Knights deal.

INTERVIEWER: If you did switch to rugby union would the All Blacks be the dream?

“Obviously yeah I think that would be a huge goal. One that if I was to come back to union I would want to tick,” Ponga said.

“But I’m not too sure what my future holds whether I’m going to stay in league or change codes.

“If I was to go back to rugby union I’d probably want to strive for that black jumper.

“I think it’s the pinnacle. Well they are. They’re the best sporting organisation in the world. Stats have showed that.

“The way they hold themselves and their values and their morals just the little things they do make them that step above everyone else.

“So to put that jersey on would be pretty special.”

Ponga’s parents Andre and Adine also feature heavily in the TVNZ interview.

No stranger to the media, Andre proudly states: “For us if look it’s not a Kiwi jumper then ….

“If there’s a possibility it might be an All Black jumper well geez … That’s something different again, eh.

“That’s delving into a different world again.

“So yeah that would be massive. But I’m only speaking for myself. No one else.”

In a separate television interview titled The Kalyn Ponga Story with Matai Smith for Native Affairs – which is from 2017 – Ponga also spoke openly about being split over whether to represent New Zealand or Australia.

“There’s been a cloud over my head as to whether what I’m doing with my allegiance,” Ponga said.

“They’re happy to see me put on the New Zealand jumper but it won’t hurt them if I put on the Aussie.

“Dad and Mum do have a preference they’d love me to play for the Kiwis.

INTERVIEWER: So you’re saying you haven’t quite made up your mind yet?

“I haven’t really had to make a decision yet. Hopefully one day I want that time to come,” Ponga said.

“I’ll think about my allegiance when I really have to make that decision.”

When Ponga’s mum Adine is asked “You’re both from New Zealand so surely you must want Kalyn to play for the Kiwis?”

Mrs Ponga’s response: “In my heart or hearts I would like him to play for the Kiwis. But it’s Kalyn’s decision. Kalyn was born in Western Australia and he sees himself as an Australian.”

Ponga was born in Western Australia before being raised in Palmerston North in New Zealand where he was a gun golfer.

The Newcastle Knights fullback then moved to Mackay as a teenager where rugby league began to take over.

He played for the Australian Schoolboys and the Junior Kangaroos before declaring his allegiance to Queensland and Australia at the beginning of 2018.

Ponga made his State of Origin debut for Queensland the same year and has played eight games for the Maroons over the past seven seasons.

But now it seems he’s had a change of heart by telling Mal Meninga he’s not available for the Kangaroos for the end-of-season Pacific Championships.

Confused? Don’t worry so are the rest of us. Along with Kalyn by the sound of things.