Kalyn Ponga is confirmed to play for New Zealand at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup following the International Rugby League board's approval of his application to switch from Australia.
During this year's NRL season launch, the Newcastle star shared with AAP that he was open to changing his national allegiance and representing New Zealand, the country where his father was born.
After writing to the IRL, Ponga's strong case was acknowledged, as he had only participated in a nines tournament in 2019 as his senior appearances for Australia.
He made headlines by opting out of Kangaroos duty for 2024, prioritizing the NRL pre-season instead.
On Wednesday night, at an IRL board meeting, Ponga's request to change national teams received unanimous support, allowing him to compete for the Kiwis at this year's World Cup.
This shift enhances New Zealand's chance of capturing their first title since 2008, with Ponga joining other notable players like James Fisher-Harris, Leo Thompson, and his Knights teammate Dylan Brown in selection considerations.
Importantly, this change ensures that Ponga will never don the Kangaroos jersey again, as tier-one eligibility alterations are deemed final by the IRL.