LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Kalyn Ponga's international eligibility saga has ended with a twist that left many scratching their heads on Friday night.
According to reports from news.com.au, Ponga has done a complete 180 on his decision to make himself unavailable for the upcoming Pacific Championship, throwing a curveball with a second statement.
The drama kicked off earlier in the week when Ponga and the Knights announced that he would not be donning the green and gold jersey for the Kangaroos, sparking a fiery debate among Rugby League legends about respect for the national team.
The NRL promptly intervened, setting a deadline for Ponga to reverse his decision or face consequences, potentially including a ban at the beginning of next season or even exclusion from representative matches like State of Origin or future Australian selection.
Originally given until 4pm on Thursday to make a U-turn, the deadline was extended to Friday morning, adding extra suspense to the situation.
The Knights kept fans on the edge of their seats until the start of the Storm-Roosters clash to reveal their final verdict.
According to a report from The Daily Telegraph, Ponga's about-face came at 8.05pm, just minutes after the kickoff of the game, leaving everyone stunned by the unexpected twist in the tale.
Looks like this game of international eligibility chess just took a surprising turn.