Newcastle Knights NRL legend Andrew Johns has offered Kalyn Ponga some sage advice when it comes to keeping a low profile when out on the town.
Johns – rugby league’s eighth Immortal and one of the game’s greatest ever halfbacks – was equally renowned for his socialising in his playing days.
He eventually admitted to being a regular user of party drugs across his NRL career – after he was caught with an ecstasy tablet in London back in 2007.
Speaking on SEN Radio on Friday, Johns said Ponga is entitled to let his hair down on occasion – but frequenting popular watering holes such as the The Delany Hotel in Newcastle’s CBD isn’t a wise choice.
‘You’ve got to remember he’s still in his 20s and is a single bloke. He’s allowed to go out,’ Johns said.
Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns has offered Kalyn Ponga some sage advice when it comes to keeping a low profile when out on the town
‘He’s got to learn that living in the fishbowl, which is Newcastle, you’ve got to know your safe places to go.
‘My place was my mate’s place, The Burwood.
‘I’d go down there if I wanted to blow some steam off – I’d blow plenty off – but if there was any drama he’d sit me in the corner or drive me home.
‘For the next two or three days you’re not paranoid and thinking ‘oh no, what have I done? Where have I been?”
Johns admitted it wasn’t a good look for Ponga to visit a pub while his team was playing in Brisbane last Saturday, but felt it was symptomatic of where the Knights currently find themselves a club.
It comes as Knights coach Adam O’Brien defended his under-fire fullback, who won’t play again this season due to repeated head knocks.
Ponga and teammate Kurt Mann were asked to leave a toilet cubicle they were occupying together at a pub in Newcastle last Saturday
Ponga, 24, signed a monster five-year contract worth more than $5million in April – and that bumper long-term deal comes with high expectation.
‘It might come across that Kalyn might not care because of his relaxed nature and the way he speaks, but behind the scenes I see the way he acts,’ the coach told News Corp.
‘We haven’t seen the best of his footy, that is well and truly in front of him and he is developing in a lot of areas that don’t always get shown in 80-minute games.’
O’Brien said the club need to develop Ponga as a leader – and while he is disappointed with events last weekend in Newcastle’s CBD, he is reserving judgement until the NRL integrity unit complete their investigation into the matter.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s home clash versus the Raiders, O’Brien also admitted standards at the club need to lift sooner rather than later.
Aside from the Ponga fiasco, David Klemmer was stood down for a week after abusing head trainer Hayden Knowles on the field and this weekend outside backs Bradman Best and Enari Tuala will play NSW Cup after missing a team bus last Sunday in Brisbane.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien is confident he can get Kalyn Ponga to realise his potential
Ponga is as good as any NRL fullback on his day, but so far has failed to justify his monster salary with the Knights
O’Brien also admitted to making a big error with the side this year.
‘I need to drive tougher standards and get the guys to where I need them to get to,’ he said.
‘The thing I am disappointed in myself about is that I allowed commentary around my nature to soften me in some areas.
‘I need to go back to myself a bit. I need to be who I am and be consistent with it and not chop and change, so the players don’t know what kind of coach they will get each day.’
He is adamant he has enough talent in his 30-man squad to see the Knights far more competitive in 2023.
After the Raiders clash at home this Sunday, the Knights take on the Titans and Sharks to see out what has been a testing season on many levels.