19-year-old Kalyn Ponga impressed on all fronts in the season opener against the Manly Sea Eagles last week.
The young fullback pulled off a try just a few minutes into the Round 1 match and added a few courageous try savers to help the Knights take a thrilling one-point win in golden point.
“It was a good start and in front of that massive crowd, it was awesome and pretty overwhelming,” Ponga recalled.
“I thought I did my job, which I was pretty happy with and as a player you want to do your job for the boys.
“I was pretty happy with how I played and I’m looking forward to doing it again.”
Ponga maintains he’s been working on the defensive aspect of his game.
“All the good fullbacks, that’s their strong point in the game, and as a fullback that’s my role and something I want to work on,” he said.
“Browny (Nathan Brown) has been into me about it so it’s definitely something I want to improve.”
Ponga is again hoping to impress in this Sunday’s clash in the nation’s capital.
He admits after the close loss for the Raiders in Round 1, they will be eager to get their first points.
“I’m sure they were disappointed in how they lost,” Ponga commented.
“We’ve got a big task ahead of us but I’m sure we can get it done.
“They’re a big forward pack, they’re going to come hard at us, so our forwards have a big job, and if we can play simple footy and complete our sets, then we can create some momentum to build opportunities.”
The teenager says his combinations with a number of players are progressing well, including with experienced halfback Mitchell Pearce.
“Obviously he is an experienced player and he talks well which is good for me,” Ponga explained.
“He’s very good at organising so I try and get off the back of him and play some footy and he gives me that leeway to do that.”
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