Meninga confirms Ponga is in “serious considerations” to be selected for Australia

After Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga confirmed he would make himself available for the Australian Kangaroos squad, coach Mal Meninga has revealed his interest in selecting him.

Ponga caused a stir last week after he pulled out of the running for the national side, stating his intentions to commit to a full preseason with the Knights.

However, Ponga ruling himself out didn’t go down well with the game’s organisers, who threatened to fine and suspend the fullback if he didn’t make himself available.

The Knights later confirmed Ponga would be ready to go if selected and his mentor Mal Meninga admitted he is more than interested in picking him.

“All in all, Kalyn understands his obligations and he’s made himself available for the green and gold,” Meninga said on SEN 1170 The Throwdown.

“Like I said through the week he’s in the top echelon of players, so he’ll be under serious considerations to make the Kangaroos next week.”

If Ponga wasn’t to be selected at fullback he’ll likely be picked on the bench in the No.14 role, if Meninga was to stray away from his preferred two-hooker strategy.

When asked by a listener if he would consider Tyran Wishart for the utility role off the bench, Meninga said: “Tyran is the type of player I look at for that role, Tyran has had a terrific year this year, probably not quite green and gold material at the moment but he’s not far away, he wouldn’t let the team down put it that way.

“That’s why I sort of go with the Ben Hunt’s and Connor Watson’s, he obviously comes into calculations.

“I think Matty Burton, you watch most of the footy this year, you look at Origin, an outside back is pretty critical at times, NSW lost outside backs and have in the past if you can play centre, fullback five-eighth and into the back row, which I think someone like Matty Burton could do, he becomes pretty valuable in the footy team.

“You’ve got to have some of that great versatility, someone like, you look at the two hookers probably in contention at the moment would be Harry Grant and Reece Robson, they can play for 80 minutes.

“Maybe we’re not looking somewhere that can play in that nine position, maybe someone that we can be a bit more diverse with and play in the outside backs, which someone like Connor Watson could.

“It’s around the discussion table about who we make 14, I think an outside back might fit the bill as well this year.”

The Kangaroos kick off their Pacific Championships campaign against Tonga on October 18th at Suncorp Stadium.