Despite briefly flirting with his dream to play for the All Blacks, rugby league star Kalyn Ponga seems set to sign a long term deal with the Newcastle Knights.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), Ponga will put pen to paper on a NZ$1.4million-a-season contract that will keep him at the club through 2025.
Earlier this year, reports suggested Ponga was seriously considering seeking a two-year sabbatical from rugby league to take a shot at cracking the All Blacks for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
SMH reports Ponga's desire to win an NRL Premiership is the deciding factor in his decision to commit to the 13-man code, although his rugby dream could still come true.
If the reported deal is five-years, Ponga would be 27 when it ends, meaning he would have two full seasons to stake his claim for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The report states the new deal will be announced before the start of the revamped NRL competition on Thursday night.
Ponga hinted at his future in March, when he told Channel Nine he wanted to cement his legacy as a Knights great.
"I appreciate everyone wanting to know what I'm doing, but it's the same thing as it's always been," Ponga said on his contract talks.
"I don't think I was too consistent last year. I think I can be better in that area - performing week in and week out.
"The Knights are foremost on my mind. I want to win - I want to win a comp.
"I love playing for the community and this town. We don't have fans, we have supporters.
"When we're going through the hard times they're still there."
The Knights play the Penrith Panthers on Sunday.
