NEWCASTLE superstar Kalyn Ponga’s request to change his country of election from Australia to New Zealand has been unanimously approved by International Rugby League.
The switch follows an alteration to State of Origin selection criteria by the Australian Rugby League Commission, allowing NSW and Queensland players to represent England and New Zealand.
In a statement, IRL explained: “Ponga, the 2023 Dally M Medallist as NRL player of year with the Newcastle Knights, was born in Western Australia to New Zealand parents. He spent time growing up in New Zealand before the family moved to Queensland.
“He has played State of Origin for Queensland and represented his Māori heritage but has not been eligible for the Kiwis after representing Australia at World Cup Nines.”
It is still not permissible for players to switch between tier one nations, however. They may represent a tier two country without affecting their eligibility for Australia, England or New Zealand but once they have represented one of those, they cannot switch to either of the other two.
This is why Ponga still had to make an application, which was supported by ARLC chair Peter V’landys.
Text from Ponga’s application was included in the IRL statement.
The 27-year-old wrote: “While I was born in Australia, my connection to New Zealand runs deep through every generation of my family. My father, Andre Ponga, was born in Palmerston North and my mother, Adine Ponga, was born in Wellington. All four of my grandparents were also born in New Zealand. My roots, my whakapapa, and my identity are firmly grounded in this country and its people.
“I am immensely proud of my Mãori heritage and that pride has only grown stronger with each passing year. I have had the privilege of representing the Mãori All Stars on three occasions, and those experiences have only deepened my connection to New Zealand rugby league and to the broader Mãori community.
“I want to be transparent about my representative history at the Australian level. My only appearances for Australia were in the Junior Kangaroos and the Rugby League World Nines, both in 2019. These were appearances I am grateful for; however, upon reflection, they do not reflect where my heart, my heritage and my deepest sense of belonging
truly lie.
“With the new State of Origin eligibility rules recently announced by the NRL, I am respectfully requesting an exemption that would make me available for the New Zealand Kiwis Test team going forward, as well as for Queensland in State of Origin.
“I believe this request is both reasonable and consistent with the spirit of the eligibility framework, given the strength and clarity of my New Zealand lineage.
“I approach this request with the utmost respect for the International Rugby League, for the process and for the significance of the decision. I am committed to contributing at the highest level of the game and representing New Zealand with the same pride, passion and dedication I bring to every aspect of my career.”