League star Kalyn Ponga refuses to discuss crossing codes
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Queensland State of Origin fullback Kalyn Ponga has refused to speculate about a future in rugby union following reports that Michael Cheika contacted the star.
Ponga confirmed that he had spoken to Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika and on Tuesday he repeatedly knocked back questions about a possible code switch.
The Wallabies head coach approached one of the #NRL top talents about making a code switch https://t.co/FLwFwKZIwk
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 14, 2019
Ponga who is contracted to NRL club Newcastle until the end of the 2021 season, was not willing to expand on his conversation with Cheika when quizzed about it before Sunday’s State of Origin II clash in Perth.
"That (call) was ages ago. But I don't want to touch on that," said Ponga
Asked if rugby was a future option, Ponga said: "I don't want to touch on that, I am here to focus on Queensland."
But the Queensland No.1 did declare he wants to be the next Johnathan Thurston and did dive into the details of his rugby league plans, saying he wanted to emulate NRL great and former North Queensland teammate.
Ponga missed a chance to play Origin with his idol Thurston, who retired from representative football last year when Ponga made his Maroons debut.
However, Ponga hoped lessons learned from Thurston at the Cowboys would help him step up as the next Origin great.
"I would love to be the next JT. That would be cool," said Ponga, who has played just two Origins.
"JT is one of the those blokes who doesn't know what he is going to do, he just does it.
"As someone learning I was just watching what he was doing more than him telling me (at Cowboys) because he is just a freak, and does things off the cuff.
"It was inspiring."
