Newcastle Knights fullback and Queensland Origin rep Kalyn Ponga says he is “immensely proud” of his Māori heritage, as he switches rugby league allegiances from Australia to New Zealand.
The International Rugby League Board (IRL) has confirmed it has unanimously approved Ponga’s application to switch eligibility.
It follows a change in eligibility rules, making players representing New Zealand or England, who qualify for NSW or Queensland, available for State of Origin selection. A change in allegiance to New Zealand would previously have meant Ponga, who has played for Queensland 10 times, was ineligible for Origin.
In his application to the IRL, Ponga said while he was grateful for the opportunity to represent Australia at a young age, his heart was with New Zealand.
“My connection to New Zealand runs deep through every generation of my family,” he wrote.
“My father, Andre Ponga, was born in Palmerston North, and my mother, Adine Ponga, was born in Wellington. All four of my grandparents were also born in New Zealand.
“My roots, my whakapapa, and my identity are firmly grounded in this country and its people.”
Ponga said he was “immensely proud” of his Māori heritage.
“That pride has only grown stronger with each passing year. I have had the privilege of representing the Māori All Stars on three occasions, and those experiences have only deepened my connection to New Zealand rugby league and to the broader Māori community,” he wrote.
Ponga’s only appearances for Australia, he wrote, were in the Junior Kangaroos and the Rugby League World 9s, in 2019.
“These were appearances I am grateful for; however, upon reflection, they do not reflect where my heart, my heritage, and my deepest sense of belonging truly lie.”
The 27-year-old will be available to play for the Kiwis at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
The 2023 Dally M Medallist was born in Western Australia to New Zealand parents, spending time growing up in New Zealand before moving to Queensland.
Ponga has played for the New Zealand Māori but was not previously eligible to represent the Kiwis. He has never played for the Kangaroos.
In his application, Ponga said he was “committed to contributing at the highest level of the game and representing New Zealand with the saine pride, passion, and dedication I bring to every aspect of my career”.
In 2025, the IRL ruled that Gold Coast Titan AJ Brimson – who also represented Australia in the World Cup 9s in 2019 – could switch allegiances to represent England. He went on to take part in the 2025 Ashes Series against Australia.
In its ruling, the IRL Board said it felt Ponga was being “unfairly restricted” as players who had opted to represent a country at the 9s World Cup had done so based on a different set of circumstances to players who elect for a country through a 13-a-side Senior International Match (SIM).
“While SIMs are continuously played, international 9s competitions are not.”
IRL chair Troy Grant said he was “honoured” to inform Ponga of the decision to approve his application to be eligible for New Zealand.
“The strength of international rugby league is the passion of the players to represent their nations and families, and the aim of the international eligibility rules is to ensure that the best players play for nations that they are eligible to represent.”
Ponga joins James Fisher-Harris, Leo Thompson and Dylan Brown among other high-profile Kiwis in selection consideration.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced the changes to selection rules in March, paving the way for Australian-born Kiwis to play in the series.
Players were previously required to be eligible to represent Australia or a tier two nation as defined by International Rugby League.
The updated rules removed this restriction, allowing players who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria and represent tier one nations to be eligible.
The criteria is a player must have been born in New South Wales or Queensland, resided in New South Wales or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday, or their father played State of Origin.
At the time of the announcement, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the changes were a necessary and logical evolution for the game in 2026.
“Rugby league has changed, the international game has grown, and our rules need to reflect that. If a player is eligible to play State of Origin, it makes no sense to exclude them simply because they’ve represented New Zealand or England at test level.”
He said State of Origin is about where you were from and what state you were eligible for - not which country you represent internationally.
“If you’re eligible, you should be able to play for your state. Over 45 years, State of Origin has developed into something special, and we want the best players playing if they’re eligible. The commission has a responsibility to grow both the international game and State of Origin, and this change strengthens both.”
– RNZ