Revealed: The truth behind Kalyn Ponga’s sighting at Warriors sports bar
The Knights continue to face a question that will never go away, as star fullback Kalyn Ponga was spotted chatting with the Warriors recruitment boss at a bar in Auckland owned by the club.
David Riccio
@DaveRic1
3 min read
November 8, 2025 - 11:30AM
News Sport Network
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NRL: The Roosters have officially announced the signing of Daly Cherry-Evans for the 2026 season.
A leaked photo of NRL star Kalyn Ponga chatting with Warriors general manager of recruitment
Andrew McFadden found its way into your columnists inbox this week.
Adding to the intrigue over the weekly speculation of Ponga’s future at the Knights is that the picture was taken last weekend inside the slick sports bar which the Warriors own and operate, Full Time Sports Bar and Eatery, in Auckland.
On face value, it’s a back page scoop that suggests the Knights star and one of the biggest names in the game is in talks with a rival club.
Kalyn Ponga spotted chatting with Warriors general manager of recruitment
Andrew McFadden at a Warriors sports bar in Auckland. Picture: Supplied.
The fact that it was taken in New Zealand, where the 2023 Dally M winner was raised between the ages of eight and 13, and the fact that the Warriors could have a fullback vacancy once
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finishes at the end of 2026, only fuels the mouths of conspiracy theorists.
However, the truth of the story is that Ponga was in the bar for a speaking engagement with former Warriors forward
Sione Faumuina at the same time that McFadden was enjoying a few off-season bets on Derby Day last Saturday.
Faumuina was able to attract Ponga – and his influential father Andre – to Auckland for his Legacy Lounge Live Show concept, where fans turn-up to listen to famous sporting icons.
Cheekily and quite cleverly, Faumuina even asked Ponga during the onstage interview if playing for the
māori All Stars evoked his passion and heritage for New Zealand, to the point of which he would want to join the Warriors?
Ponga conceded he did grow-up watching the Warriors, but for some comfort for Knights fans, he simply laughed off any link to the ‘Wahs’.
However, there’s also an element of reality in the question from Faumuina.
Questions over Ponga’s future at the Knights just refuse to go away.
For one reason or another, including the Knights lack of success and so too Ponga’s insane ability as a footballer, the 27-year-old has spent every season over the past few seasons being asked about his future despite being contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2027.
Last Saturday was no different. Someone had to ask him the question.
The questions will keep coming too. Pick up the phone to rival clubs or player agents and when the discussion shifts to fullbacks, it’s Ponga’s name that routinely falls into the conversation.
It’s an interesting situation for the Knights too.
In 2026, for the first time in a long time, they may not be as reliant upon Ponga single-handedly carrying the team, like he has in years gone by.
With Dylan Brown arriving from Parramatta to play five-eighth, Sandon Smith moving from the Roosters with an ambition to be a long-term halfback and with Ponga the first-choice fullback, where does rising star Fletcher Sharpe, who finished the season at five-eighth, play?
It’s about to become the next big question that won’t go away.
Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
