Newcastle’s greatest-ever player has strongly advised Kalyn Ponga to put club before state after the Knights superstar was this week named in Wayne Bennett’s inititial Queensland squad.
According to multiple reports, Ponga requires off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder and is in major doubt for the Maroons annual series against NSW.
It is understood the 22-year-old played through the pain of the injury for several weeks at the back end of the Knights’ NRL campaign.
Ponga’s shoulder and possible involvement in the 2020 Origin series, has been a hot topic among pundits and fans ever since the Knights’ season ended at the hands of South Sydney on Sunday.
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But Eighth Immortal Johns is adamant the Knights’ marquee man must bypass the Origin series and attend to his injured shoulder immediately.
“I think the decision’s already been made,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
“I could imagine that Kalyn and Adam O’Brien and Danny Buderus have had some really honest conversations.
“And where he is in Newcastle and his standing in Newcastle, his responsibility of what he has to play and how he has to perform – I don’t want to talk about the money he’s on but inevitably it comes down to what sort of money they’re spending on him.
“I think he has to get the operation tomorrow, get it done so he’s back and ready to rock and roll by the start of the season.”
Ponga is facing a five-to-six month recovery period if he opts to undergo surgery.
Therefore, if he goes under the knife immediately the young gun would likely be available in time for the 2021 NRL season opener.
But is he was to delay the procedure until after Origin III on November 18, the Knights' best player could miss up to eight matches to start the campaign.
“I just see the way the Knights finished the year and the responsibility he has within Newcastle as a club and hopefully the advancement next year,” Johns added.
“I think he needs to turn up early December ready to go.”
