After breaking his arm in the tournament opener against Australia, the only person who truly believed Kalyn Ponga would play another match at the Rugby League World Cup may have been Kalyn Ponga himself.
The sight of the Newcastle Knights maestro using his jersey as a makeshift sling after almost singlehandedly conquering the hosts had Kiwis fans collectively looking to the heavens.
Could arguably the strongest Kiwis team in history be derailed by another horrific stroke of misfortune? On the back of the Warriors’ injury-ravaged season, the entire situation was far too close to home.
Ponga refused to count himself out, telling his teammates he’d be back, buoyed by Jahrome Hughes’ rapid 22-day turnaround from a broken arm with the Melbourne Storm.
Twenty-three days later, he was lining up as a starter in the semi-final against Tonga and playing like he’d never missed a beat – the best player on the planet playing like he’s the best on the planet.
The 2023 Dally medallist laid on three try assists to help power the Kiwis into Sunday’s final against Australia, erasing any doubt he may be compromised.
“I like a challenge, and that was the only thing that I heard in my head – someone else did it, so I can do it,” Ponga said on Tuesday.
“Then [Jahrome Hughes], he obviously gave me confidence. He did it, so I was just talking to him a lot.
“I didn't feel it at all out there. I think my lungs were hurting more than anything.
“Last week, it was still pretty sore, and I wasn't too sure, but then Tuesday, Wednesday, it was good to go.
“I think there's 11 screws and a plate in there. It was a butterfly fracture, they call it. There was a bit more to it, but it healed really well.”
Tellingly, there was no sign of a brace on his troublesome arm at Tuesday’s media opportunity, which he described as “felling really good” after Sunday’s semi-final after being tested in a couple of mammoth tackles.
Teen Roosters hitman Salesi Foketi flattened Ponga on a kick reception, before Demitric Vaimauga’s clattered into him in a try-saving tackle, which was arguably the best of the tournament.
“I haven’t been hit like that for a while,” Ponga said with a grin.
Now looms the main event at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.
It’s the culmination of years of patience for Ponga. Born to New Zealand parents, the change in international eligibility rules this year allowed him to fulfil his long-held dream of representing his mother and father’s heritage.
Lifting the World Cup trophy aloft this weekend would be the ultimate tribute.
“I've waited, bided my time.
“I always felt like this was the right decision for me. I copped some backlash for that, but at the end of the day, it's who I am. It's my culture.
“I’m extremely proud to be in this position. Extremely proud to be playing for a World Cup.
“It would be awesome. It would be such a reward for not only this team, this group that's been together for so long, but the country as well.”
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