Newly named Newcastle co-captain Kalyn Ponga emerged unscathed, but the superstar fullback was poleaxed in a thumping hit during his side’s trial match on Monday night.
Ponga, who just before the 16-all draw was revealed as a co-captain alongside hooker Jayden Brailey, was running the footy on the right edge when he was smashed by Canterbury back Declan Casey.
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“Ponga! Wow. Declan Casey, no respect!” said Fox League commentator Andrew Voss.
“What a shot.”
Storm and Roosters great Cooper Cronk added: “Declan Casey, what a bell-ringer!”.
https://twitter.com/NRL/status/1495654377440391169
Ponga commended Casey when asked about the hit at half-time.
“I didn’t see him, to be honest,” Ponga said.
“Came out of nowhere and got me a beauty.”
The Knights will begin their season against the Roosters at the SCG on March 12, while the Bulldogs will face the Cowboys in Townsville the following day.
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