It seemed a long shot – but may yet come to pass. It would be a gamble and there might be a temptation to allow another week of healing ahead of a possible final next Sunday, but of course that is not guaranteed. The Kiwis also have fellow fullback Keano Kini in great form, though the Gold Coast dynamo can be an effective impact player.
Saturday is a do-or-die scenario – against formidable opponents – in Newcastle, where Ponga has become a folk hero for the Knights since he moved there in 2018, which might become another incentive for a “damn the torpedoes” approach. But ultimately, it will come down to Ponga’s mindset and physical readiness.
“[There are] lots of things, I guess,” Jones said when asked what elements have gone into making the final decision. “It’s probably out of my hands what the process looks like. But the main thing was that, for him, making sure he ticks every box and is confident to play.”
There are some recent precedents, as Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes and Kangaroos hooker Blayke Brailey have come back from broken arms in almost identical timeframes over the past two seasons.
“Whatever happens, happens,” captain James Fisher-Harris said. “I’ll just leave it for Stacey. Obviously, he’s a great player, played pretty good in his debut test. But [Keano] is there as well, he’s been outstanding for us over the last few years.”
Jones also confirmed that Phoenix Crossland will be part of the game-day 19-man squad. The Knights hooker missed the first three matches of the tournament through suspension, after his hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary in the NRL preliminary final. He continued to train with the squad before being called in as an injury replacement, when Warriors back-rower Jacob Laban was forced to withdraw. It means the Kiwis could employ a two-hooker strategy to take the pressure off starting rake Jeremy Marshall-King.
“He’s had a good week,” Jones said of Crossland. “He’s done really well too. He’s been part of our squad for three years now so he’s fitted back in perfectly.”
Jones added that like Ponga, it would be a memorable occasion for Crossland, given his tenure in Newcastle at club level.
“It’s pretty special for them to come back here and play for the Kiwis at their home ground,” Jones said.
The coach is content with preparations and feels his team are ready for what is coming, with an intense contest and a massed red sea of Tongan support.
“It’s exciting,” Jones said. “We’ve played them a couple of times over the last two years and it’s a great atmosphere. They really get behind both teams, you know, the Tonga supporters are outstanding and the Kiwi supporters too.”
Fisher-Harris feels the same way, despite the prospect of a wall of noise backing the Island team.
“It does get pretty loud but it’s good,” Fisher-Harris said. “We would rather have a loud atmosphere and all that but we know what to do on the field.”
He expects the Tongan team to find a higher gear, despite the effects of their gruelling battle with Samoa last Sunday night.
“If anything, the intensity goes up,” Fisher-Harris said. “But we’re well aware of that. Again, it’s another great forward pack, so looking forward to the challenge.”
Earlier on Saturday night, the Kiwis Ferns face Samoa in their semi-final (7.45pm). They will be warm favourites, though Samoa have been boosted by wins over Wales and England in their past two pool matches. On Sunday the Kangaroos face Samoa in Sydney (10.05pm), preceded by the Jillaroos against Fiji.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
