Four months ago, Kalyn Ponga said no to the Kangaroos. Now he’s set to represent Maori All Stars

Wearing the green and gold has traditionally been regarded as the ultimate honour and a measuring stick for greatness in rugby league. Run your eye over the Hall of Fame – the game’s most exclusive club – and you will notice that players without multiple Test jerseys are few and far between.

Test matches, in other words, are meaningful. Perhaps more so than ever after the rise of Samoa and Tonga on the international scene.

The All Stars game? Some would say it’s a gimmicky exhibition match that has outlived its use-by date.

Though NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo insisted this week that “the All Stars will always be part of the calendar as far as I’m concerned”, an outpouring of grief would appear unlikely if it was canned tomorrow.

But among those who would be disappointed, apparently, is Newcastle’s talismanic skipper. If this all seems a tad perplexing for the average punter, it’s also a reminder that (a) Ponga marches to the beat of his own drum and (b) his thought processes are a byproduct of his unique background.

Ponga might qualify for Queensland at Origin level, but he was born in Port Hedland, Western Australia, and spent a large part of his childhood growing up in New Zealand, his parents’ homeland.

Between the ages of eight and 13, Kalyn lived in Palmerston North. And like the vast majority of youngsters across the ditch, Kalyn was in awe of the All Blacks.

As he explained in 2018: “I think it’s the pinnacle. Well, they are. They’re the best sporting organisation in the world … so to put that jersey on would be pretty special.”

In the same interview, with TVNZ, Ponga said his Maori heritage and upbringing “pretty much made me who I am”.

Yet it has not been enough to convince him to represent New Zealand in the 13-man game – which would have left him ineligible to play Origin – despite the Kiwis reportedly making overtures.

Origin match payments are more lucrative than Tests, although any financial motivation is surely superseded by Ponga’s club contract – reportedly $1.4 million per annum – plus his array of personal sponsors.

He hardly needs the cash. But the flip side of being so highly paid is that expectation, pressure and accountability come as part of the deal.

Ponga clearly felt an obligation to train for a full pre-season with the Knights. He knew that would have been impossible had he spent a month in camp with the Kangaroos.

For him, the Pacific Championships timing was less than ideal. In contrast, the All Stars is a one-off, one-week commitment, and a chance to get some game time in after a long, hot summer. On this occasion, the timing suits.

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Still only 26, it’s not too late for Newcastle’s skipper to stamp his class on international rugby league. The only question is how badly he wants it.

After his omission from Australia’s 2023 Pacific Championships squad – despite winning the Dally M medal that season – Ponga said: “I was [disappointed], to be honest. Obviously playing at the highest level was a goal of mine, and it always will be.

“But in saying that, no bad blood. I wasn’t disappointed at Mal, I was just disappointed that I didn’t make it. That team is elite and it’s going to be hard to make. Hopefully, one day I can get there.”

Perhaps the All Stars game can be the first step in that journey.