Kalyn Ponga wants to leave Newcastle but is too scared to leave, according to a prominent NRL journalist.
The Knights star was seen in discussion with Warriors general manager of recruitment Andrew McFadden at a Warriors owned sports bar in Auckland over the weekend.
Despite that meeting likely being a coincidence, Ponga is quietly exploring his options - including a move to rugby union - according to scribe Michael Chammas.
The journalist claims Ponga has wanted out of Newcastle for a while, but has been unable to make the commitment to leave so far.
“I find it interesting he is in New Zealand, because there’s talk about him going to play New Zealand rugby,” Chammas said on Triple M.
“I think it’s just a coincidence, but I don’t know. How long have I been going on about Kalyn Ponga wanting to leave Newcastle for? He has been too afraid to take the jump.
“No one has moved on this yet, he wants out, guarantee you he wants to explore other options. He is exploring other options.
“Maybe he is afraid to leave the safety net of the $1.4 million and the life he has in Newcastle. I can tell you now, he definitely is thinking ‘is the grass greener elsewhere?’.
“I just do think it’s a coincidence with the Warriors though.”
Ponga is off-contract in 2027 and can only negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, 2026.