The fullback sustained a deep cut to his left ear in the incident which saw him sent off. Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Ponga bled from the ear immediately after the clash of heads and he pointed to his ear as he protested referee Ashley Klein’s decision. Klein’s call caused huge division amongst
fans with many defending Ponga by arguing the tackle was only a clash of heads. But the ref disagreed as he told the Bunker: “It’s a shoulder charge to the head. That’s a send off. “It’s a shoulder charge to the head. That’s a send off.” He was then heard saying: “I get that, but he’s hit him direct to the head. “I get that mate, but he’s hit him in the head there with no attempt to tackle. I know what you’re saying, but
it’s an illegal play.” It has since been revealed that the Bunker informed Klein that Ponga’s tackle was only worthy of a sin bin – a viewpoint many fans agree with. Ponga apologised to boss Billy Slater after being given his marching orders. He was patched up by Queensland physios and was fit to return for Newcastle Knights on Saturday. Ponga played a starring role as the Knights beat Parramatta Eels 28-22. And after the game he revealed the challenges he faced returning to the
field. “It was more mentally (demanding),” Ponga said after playing his second game in four days. “Physically, I actually felt pretty good out there, which is a credit to our staff, the way they handled the last 48 hours, and it’s all mentally like the build-up of Origin, obviously the way Origin unfolded, and then to sort of park it and mentally prepare for another game. ”I think now that I’m older, I’m probably better at doing it, but yeah, it’s all mental. ”I was
excited to get back around the boys, around my teammates. Probably selfishly, I wanted to play with my mates. I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines. I wanted to be out there.”
Kalyn Ponga, Ashley Klein, Billy Slater, Bunker, Queensland physios, Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels, Origin, NRL send off, left ear cut
So he got an ear cut and they still said it was a shoulder charge? Sounds kinda wild.
I don’t even understand the whole “sin bin vs send off” thing. Like if it was just a clash of heads, why the big punishment? Refs always do too much.
Replying bc I saw people say the bunker told the ref it should’ve been a sin bin, which makes me think the ref was just on a power trip. Also how are you “fit to return” after cutting your ear up like that, that part doesn’t add up.
This Origin debate is always the same… everyone picks a side and forgets what they even watched. I’m confused though, didn’t Klein originally say “illegal play” like he knew the intent? But then they’re saying it was only worthy of a sin bin, so what are we supposed to believe? Kalyn apologizing to Billy Slater is nice I guess, but refs should be held to the same standard every week. Also the FOX/Kayo plug in the article is random, like why is that even here.