Kalyn Ponga caused a stir after he made himself ineligible for international selection in order to focus on being in the best shape he possibly could for Newcastle next season.
The decision was said to have shocked Australia coach Mal Meninga, who had picked the fullback in his preliminary Kangaroos squad ahead of the Pacific Championships.
However, when the Knights were informed of Ponga’s inclusion, the No.1 responded with a statement that noted how he intended to "remove himself from eligibility for international selection".
"Kalyn has made this decision to ensure his sole focus is on an uninterrupted pre-season, aiming towards starting the preparation for the 2025 NRL season from the first session with his club," the statement read.
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Kalyn Ponga could be the first of many withdrawals for the Kangaroos
Ponga’s boycott has caused anger in some quarters with the NRL also reportedly taking a dim view of his decision to decline international selection.
Former Kangaroos selector Bob McCarthy called for a "red line" to be immediately drawn through Ponga’s name for the rest of his representative career.
"You don't knock back the Australian jersey," McCarthy told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"I can't see his reckoning there. It's the ultimate reward, playing for your country."
Ponga has yet to make his debut for Australia, but Penrith legend Greg Alexander stressed how he believed the 26-year-old should have called Meninga to inform him of his decision.
"I’m not surprised to see Kalyn Ponga do it, but in the manner that he’s done it - did he even ring Mal?" Alexander said on SEN.
"Did he get on the phone and say, 'Mal, this is what I’m thinking'. I think it could have been handled better. There’s no doubt about that."
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Alexander went on to claim that Ponga would be the first of many players to pull out of the Kangaroos’ side in the coming weeks.
"I think we’ll see a lot of Australian players pull out of the Pacific Championships," Alexander said.
"I don’t think we’ll see a full-strength Australian team. There will be a number of players who will withdraw, and injuries will be the major problem."
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Payne Haas and Valentine Holmes have already been ruled out and there are severe doubts around the likes of Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary after injury-plagued campaigns.
Meanwhile, Cameron Munster wasn’t enthused by the prospect of being called-up for the tournament.
"If I have got the opportunity, and I think my body is right, and if I get picked, then I can’t probably say no," the Melbourne five-eighth said ahead of his side’s prelim final.
"But, at the end of the day, I’ve still got to worry about my club. I’m still here for three more years and need to focus on that."
