LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
"That process needs to improve": Mal Meninga is pretty confident Kalyn Ponga still has a desire to wear the green and gold for Australia, but he reckons there needs to be better communication moving forward.
The Kangaroos coach has weighed in on the Kalyn Ponga saga as the fallout continues over the Knights star's decision to pass on playing for Australia.
Mal Meninga has mentioned that any chats he has with Ponga will be kept under wraps, with the hope that this whole debacle will lead to improved communication between players, clubs, and the national team.
Ponga dropped a bombshell earlier this week when he decided to sit out the upcoming Pacific Championships, choosing instead to focus on the Knights' pre-season preparations after their early exit from the finals.
"I'm in it to win a comp, anything less just doesn't cut it," he declared.
"My main goal has always been to bring a premiership to the Knights - that's what I've been gunning for since I joined the club back in 2018, and it's still my main focus.
"I want to have a successful career where people look back and say 'he was a top signing and represented the community to the best of his abilities'.
"But for now, I don't believe I've achieved that yet, which is why I've made this decision to really knuckle down and chase those goals every single day."
In true sporting fashion, Mal Meninga remains optimistic about Ponga's commitment to the green and gold, stressing the need for clearer lines of communication to avoid any future misunderstandings.