Gus on Kalyn Ponga's Kangaroos withdrawal: Six Tackles with Gus - Ep31 | NRL on Nine

[@shedwork]

Gus thanks for the call out to the mighty Newtown Jets and NSWRL Cup GF against the Bears, their first playing each other since 1943! Yes, the club staff and volunteers have done wonderful work bringing the club back and making it relevant to the community. A typical home game at Henson Park will have several thousands, fans, families, kids and dogs in attendance. It is true rugby league experience and if you are a real footy fan you should get your butt over to one. AND all Jets fans get to Parra on Sunday arvo and help the Jets bring the cup home!!

[@robcrosby6843]

Kalyn Ponga hasn't disrespected the Australian jersey - the people in charge of international rugby league have undervalued the Kangaroos over the last 5 years. Since the start of the decade, the Kangaroos have played a total of 2 tests in Australia. During COVID, State of Origin was prioritised and the Kangaroos were treated as an afterthought. In 2016, the Kangaroos played 6 tests over the course of the year - From 2018 to now, the Kangaroos have played 13 tests in total. If you want players to value playing for the Kangaroos, you've got to provide opportunities for them to play.

[@johnhopes7747]

the jersey is not an offer _ if he doesn't want it _ never ever select him again

[@philmurdoch1203]

Letting so many islanders play Origin and then play for an overseas team is the thing that has devalued the Australian jumper.

[@jnic2165]

The admin treat international league as an afterthought, is there any wonder the players and fans do too. What other sport in the world would you turn down your country for a pre season ?

[@timothyhowie6171]

Good point.

[@lukedpk4557]

Who cares about international I want my club to win a comp

[@timothyhowie6171]

I really enjoy listening to you two. Keep on keeping on. 👍🏻🙏👌✝️

[@zaneplatt3533]

If the NRL would like to lose Ponga to Union, please, please go forward with this stupidity. Make sure you punish him more than Snortrell Mitchell and as much as Pinnochio Addo Carr. Ponga is doing NOTHING wrong. He is doing right by his club by looking after himself. None of the language used in the contract is strong enough or specific enough to be enforced and the plauers union will riot if the NRL makes any attempt to punish Ponga

[@timothyhowie6171]

Ive supported North Queensland for 57 years. They've always been brilliant in attack and weak in open play defence. Val Holmes missed two key tackles that he showed no interest in and tries went to Sharks on both occasions, yet Val also scored a try and kicked goals. Val is indicative of how NQ rolls. They gave away tries in narrow space down the flanks. They could have stopped at least two of those tries. I first saw North Queensland when i was 8 playing Combined Brisbane 57 years ago at Lang Park. It was something like the Foley Shield where different regions would come down and play Brisbane. NQ was always brilliant in attack and could run rings around Brisbane which was comprised of players from Brothers, Valleys, Easts, Norths, Souths, Wests, Wynnum Manly, Redcliffe, Wests. They played more of a rugny union style, kicking a lot in open play after two tackles (4 tackle game then). I fell in love with NQ then and have supported them ever since. But they are laid back daggs at times. 😅👍🏻 Go Cowboys 2025

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Great read

[@LordBangaGaming]

Damn you cowboys beat my knights lol well played and well said

[@timothyhowie6171]

​@@LordBangaGamingThank you 😊

[@timothyhowie6171]

​@@crazyprayingmantis5596thank you 😊

[@timothyhowie6171]

@@LordBangaGaming I like the Knights! Great club. All the best for 2025

[@timothyhowie6171]

Make rep footy Australia, amateur code and or open it up to other comps like QRL, NSWRL . Plenty of great players

[@andrewgilliver3930]

Surely the great Julie Anthony is the greatest entertainment! Her anthem was unrivalled the best

[@RichardBroad-rb8dn]

What if every club just decided to keep their best players on cotton wool after the season finishes? If a contract signed says that players must be available for rep footy and a player ignores that then maybe just take his name off all future rep teams. Let the player make the choice.

[@danch1691]

If Ponga doesn't want to play for Kangaroos, then make him ineligible for state of origin too. Whole original point of state of origin was a trial for the national Australian team ie the Kangaroos

[@aksabz]

100%

[@TheJuanvegas]

That's how to deal with it. No other punishment required, banning from club games is just absurd. Not playing origin also hits him in the pocket

[@hansoloburger2322]

So you punish him based off some old cliche why would you base selection off games played 4 months earlier makes absolutely no sense

[@TheJuanvegas]

@hansoloburger2322 it's in his contract that he plays rep footy. If he doesn't want to, ban him where it hurts and that's origin. A couple of early season club games isn't going to bother him, is it?

[@hansoloburger2322]

@@TheJuanvegas but that’s why he doesn’t want to play so he can get a better start in preseason with the knights the fact you don’t know that is absurd. Do you agree with the contract clause? Do you know if it’s a take it or leave it clause if you don’t agree to that can you not play nrl?

[@GodlyCarnage]

Thanks fellas.

[@mjay6508]

As kids, growing up in Waverley early 70’s, we used to sit on the side fence each afternoon and wait for the truck. Soon enough, the concrete truck would round the corner and we would be yelling BOMBER BOMBER and Johnny Peard would be hanging out the window waving and blaring the truck horn…… he was on his way home from his day job. Great memories of a great player…….

[@markbowman2890]

Parramatta bored us to tears with the relentless bombs. I think Peard was the first to properly utilise the drop punt. The torpedo was more normally used in those days searching for touch.

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

@@markbowman2890 When that didn't work, they did flying wedges.

[@petermcgrath6260]

Great show👍 Always on the same page as Gus, Panthers vulnerable in the centers! And that's why my pick is the storm for premiers as much as i hate to say it! Hope they prove me wrong!

[@hoggers7572]

I think Melbourne has a weakness in the centres as well that the Roosters might exploit this weekend

[@rick2373]

What about Gus' prediction that the Storm's premiership window was closed?

[@wayne9080]

Sorry, i meant 14 teams in the last post!

[@CA-jt2tf]

KP has all the God given right to withdraw from representing the country. Shame on Australia.

[@keiram445]

NRL: it’s not fair on the fans for Kalyn not to play for Australia Also NRL: WE SHOULD BAN HIM FOR NOT PLAYING AND HE SHOULD NEVER PLAY REP FOOTY AGAIN AND THAT WILL MEAN THE FANS ARE SEEING HIM PLAY MORE BY MAKING HIM PLAY LESS APPARENTLY…..

[@keiram445]

Also the fact many many people have said they can’t play for other teams providing the exact same reason just shows it’s the most stacked team that has the most talent throwing a tantrum rather then actually just accepting like any of the other national teams have been forced to do.

[@Kadaitchi]

@@keiram445 he's had 16 games for the knights this season he has hardly played any footy at all across the board lol.

[@Lynchy626]

@@Kadaitchi And why's that? Cause he keeps getting injured. He needs a full pre-season and he hasn't had one in years

[@briankennedy1192]

Its not the off season, ITS THE 9 WEEKS WE USE FOR ORIGIN, THAT'S THE DOGS BREAKFAST, CUT IT BACK TO 3 AND, HELLO ENOUGH TIME. 27 ROUNDS IS FAR TOO LONG AS WELL....

[@Antvvv]

To play devil's advocate if he was banned from the next rep game i.e origin would he be so keen to sit it out

[@Insideoutie]

Mental fatigue is another thing. Leave KP alone. He only has to say he is not in the right head-space. Who cannot respect that? Who would pick someone not in the right headspace?

[@LockieXue]

He hasn't said he's not in the right headspace tho. He just being lazy

[@markbowman2890]

What about the teams that got beaten by Panthers in a recent final? Parramatta, Souths and Broncos have fallen below expectations since being beaten by Panthers in the big games.

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

As long as Walters in coaching the broncos, they'll keep failing. He's dead wood at this stage.

[@RugbyLeagueHistory]

Back in the old days, players would play the regular season, plus the midweek cup games (AMCO Cup), then State of Origin, finals games etc and on top of that they all had to be at work because playing Rugby League weren't a full-time job back then but they just got on with it. These days the players are going "There are too many games".

[@UncleAL86]

When North Sydney Bears beat Newtown this week, it sets up NORTHS v NORTHS on Grand Final Day 😈 🐻

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

North who?

[@Nodiggity-z2g]

I miss 90s NRL

[@stevenessa6029]

You can't keep liquidating the assets (players) in the name of profits. Seasons way too long for sure.

[@politenessman3901]

The problem isn't too much club footy, the problem is too many irrelevant add on games - all the rep stuff that just keeps expanding, all of it just an opportunity to break or burn out your clubs best players.

[@timothyhowie6171]

How about two conferences or comps of 10 teams with each playing the others twice in a season. The best two of each conference play semis and so on like back in the day?

[@shaynehyde6748]

Your bang on Gus

[@wayne9080]

There should be only 16 teams and everyone plays each other twice! The draw in the nrl is the most unfair and corrupt I've ever seen!!!

[@hoggers7572]

They're not going to play thirty games ..I don't know people complaining about the draw seems like a weak excuse ..the best teams are in the top four atm..also you can't entirety predict who are the best teams beforehand..isn't the plan 20 teams and a shortened season ..maybe play each other once and have four conferences and you play the team in your conference twice for a 23 game season or just play each other once and have SOO stand alone weekends for a 19 game season but I can't see TV copping that

[@reverseclouds1663]

It’s not that bad, rivalry’s usually play twice, you get your 12 home 12 away, yeah the way the byes work is weird but uneven teams is gonna do that, calling it corrupt is just crisis acting

[@maxfish4770]

14 teams, 26 rounds with reserve grade before each game. Break for sos, mens, women's and juniors. Throw in Tonga v Samoa too

[@markbowman2890]

I think you are right because some teams get an easier passage to the finals. If they go to 20 teams they all play once and the players are not over extended. Plenty of time for rep football as well. No one likes watching Australia B play because of all the end of season injuries needing operations.

[@barsaahmadian6888]

Six tackles with gus the is best poddy❤❤

[@patrickjohnson1309]

This might sound selfish,but I want the NRL regular season to go for 30 weeks lol. I watch 7 to 8 games every week plus every episode of NRL 360,both Matty Johns shows,the fan,face to face and I love Sunday sin bin on triple M!! I get anxiety when the NRL season is coming to an end! Id love 30 rounds regular season. 20 round regular season would be torture!!

[@TheJuanvegas]

If they make a proper go of the international game and not an afterthought, it'll be great, ans it'll grow the game. Big "if" given the way they have promoted/organised it until now, but there is a chance to really throw time and promotion at it that I hope they'll take

[@My1notyours0409]

100% I absolutely agree, I get anxiety when there's no Footy on. 20 weeks would only be acceptable if they were to replace it with other games. Such as international or other games. But tbh 30 games would be great plus everything else. 😅

[@markymark2509]

I think knights are worried he might cop a bump and have the lights go out again. He's so vulnerable to that now that he has been knocked out multiple times. Even the experts are saying a move to 5/8 defending in the line would likely end his career.. He's on huge money so Knights are just trying to protect their investment. Fair enough... Talk of off season prep to win a comp is a bit silly. Knights do not currently have top 4 capable halves or a genuinely dominant, creative hooker... That's why they're watching the best spines in the NRL play deep into the finals on TV... They hold their own in the forwards but so do many other teams... Look at the spines for Storm, Penrith, Roosters (before Sam did an ACL), even the Sharks... All these clubs have halves, fullbacks and hookers that would rate from 8 to 10 as spine players... Poor old Knights send the Armaguard truck to Ponga each week and spend what's left over on other clubs discarded "utility" players who rate 6 to 8 max when they play in the halves... No, I don't think it's about prepping for 2025 premiership glory at all... They just want him to avoid unnecessary risk... So would I... Just Sayin,...

[@philliprobinson2902]

For sure!

[@SlaintheMhath]

Cogger set Cleary free in the 2023 GF, he is a good game manager, a local junior and is about to enter his golden years.

[@markymark2509]

All true.. Wish you and the Knights well..

[@Jaime_nz]

Round 1sharks were tough thats what they need

[@Hyphen_1781]

If Ponga got picked then got knocked out against the Kiwis these people bashing Ponga will then blame Mal for picking him.

[@franknicita2444]

Isaiah yow is all heart and soul for Penrith

[@issyjas3309]

Rep season needs looking at, the top players play so many games and their season takes a toll. But much like football, which seems never ending , it’s all about the money

[@CraigHopwood]

Sorry mate it needs to be balanced I notice the dogs had a easier draw compared to parra just have the bye weeks for all clubs at the same time

[@maxfish4770]

Can never be balanced unless it's proper home and away draw. Will be even worse with 20 teams playing each other once

[@CraigHopwood]

@maxfish4770 crap it can be done all teams have a bye at the same it can be done the game is flying on the bye week promote nsw cup

[@CraigHopwood]

@maxfish4770 mate we have flegg as well see that's how you start to have a 17 team impartial draw fairness to all

[@Supasneaky]

@@CraigHopwood You'd need to have 32 games during regular season for an equally balanced draw. That is way too many, will never happen. Canterbury also had more games against the other 7 in the top 8 than anyone else in the 8 did. So if you're looking for sides with easy draws, look elsewhere.

[@nextfall1047]

I understand that commentators need to talk up this weeks games to build interest and viewership but honestly Melbourne and Penrith will both win by 30 plus.

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

Spot on, easts and Cronulla are dreaming if they think that they'll win.

[@MarkJessop-hq2uo]

the rules are so stupid if a player doesn't want to play for his country he should not get into trouble for it

[@CasperFGhost]

This show is perfect for a trio, not sure about the chemistry with these two however I'd love to see Fatty on here.

[@bloodsmart]

Does the person in charge of the timestamps even bloody watch the show? They’re wrong every single week!

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

Sanction Ponga, exclude him for origin selection.

[@zendosaftw]

Let’s be honest, I don’t think he’d want to play for the kangaroos even if less games were played

[@johno9761]

He’s a Kiwi his parents want him to play for NZ that Australian jersey doesn’t mean to him what it means to other Australians who’ve grown up in Aussie households.

[@janicewilson-tx4ck]

With all the respect for KP it's his choice that is important thing in life is knowing where you come from God comes first and followed by family values 🙏 ❤😊

[@Jase1000-p2f]

Ponga should of just had a line and gone for a drive.

[@chrissteer3733]

He isn’t even the best fullback in the game so why the carry on.

[@travismiller1491]

Jack wighton for nsw no one battered an eyelid

[@reverseclouds1663]

Jack Wighton retired from rep footy

[@MLF-kq8ut]

Battered eyelids? Yuk

[@RobertMallac]

Channel 9 dictate how games are played. It's all about viewing numbers and money.

[@TheJuanvegas]

It'll be better when there are 20 teams and everyone plays each other once. Will stop the nonsense byes and daft draws figuring out who plays each other twice

[@arthurmckeown1937]

Players have always withdrawn from international games. You would never get this amount of crying if Crichton withdrew from Samoa or Radley from England. Dry yer eyes Australia. The reaction to Ponga us embarrassing.

[@stanleytran7044]

bevan French should return to nrl

[@patrickjohnson1309]

100% agree! He kills it over in ESL,which is terrible compared to the NRL,but I think his definitely worth a 2 yr 500k a year NRL contract. Defence could be a worry,but I think he could adapt back to NRL pace.

[@stephenford5839]

@@patrickjohnson1309not sure of the fx rate but French is on a marquee contract and I’d guess that he on circa £250k per season for Wigan. He’s very highly rated by the Wigan fans and the club and I suspect that he will finish his career with us.

[@philliprobinson2902]

Australia needs our best players, public expect it😊

[@darshin95]

Sharks will beat Penrith Gus.

[@Scooty_Scooty]

3 top 8 teams from 2023 didn't make the 8 in 2024. Broncs, Wahs and Raiders. It would've been 4 if the Phins beat the Knights and made the 8 instead of them.

[@MarkJessop-hq2uo]

to shorten the season go back to NSW rugby league

[@Mrwhippy456]

Yet Stephen Crichton is having a wedding on the same dates as the games and their moving the dates for him 🤔 speak about that one Gus

[@Kadaitchi]

played more games than ponga this season more rep footy games too so even with the wedding he still statistically annihilates ponga's stats lol.

[@SlaintheMhath]

The English moved one of the games, nothing at all to do with Australia.

[@Kadaitchi]

We need a team from South Australia and Western Australia then look at PNG & Throwing in a second Kiwi team.

[@patrickjohnson1309]

I can't imagine South Australia having an NRL team in the next 15 yrs!

[@maxfish4770]

Too many teams already

[@Mac-jx8uj]

​@@patrickjohnson1309 see what should have happened at the end of the super league war is Wests should have affiliate themselves with Perth play some home games there and fostered the code in W.A same in South Australia with Souths. P.s when the Ram got the ass the crowd averages where better that a lot of the Sydney sides? And dispute West Tigers winning a premiership both clubs do not and have never really gotten along ! A true National Rugby League NRL 😂

[@CraigHopwood]

Byes for all clubs r7 r14 r21 it is really a fair and impartial way because parra did have a inhumane draw

[@robertcox1835]

As long as there is an odd number of teams it will be impossible to have every team having a bye at the same time.

[@CraigHopwood]

@robertcox1835 well all the parra fans can hope for myself included that we get a good draw anyway can not wait for 2025

[@SlaintheMhath]

The 20th team should be a second Melbourne team, the Melbourne Jets.

[@richardwhite2730]

The 20th team, most likely will be a 2nd kiwi team

[@goodboydaz]

Why would NRL add another team in Melbourne Paul Lockhart?

[@SlaintheMhath]

@@goodboydaz Why have a second AFL team in Sydney? To grow the game, Melbourne is Australia's biggest city, it has a bigger population than NZ.

[@goodboydaz]

@@SlaintheMhath what has that got to do with anything? Footy in NSW is bigger than League in Victoria.

[@namwens1]

Ponga has never even played for the kangaroos. Why would he assume they would pick him anyway?

[@lucasboyle959]

It seems obvious, he wants to play for the all blacks at some stage and his parents are kiwi, so he's got a conflict of interest, he just cares about playing for qld, winning a comp and then going to rugby. plus it's not like he was being picked at first choice number 1, probably 14 so all these factors including club pressure and some apathy outweighed it all.

[@fale892]

14:55 well if Trindall is able to control the team and not Hynes, then Trindall should be the go to man.