Press conference: Kalyn Ponga on Round 10
He's been touted as the next big thing in rugby league, but nib Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga is taking it all in his stride.
The 20-year-old admits he's loving life and footy at the moment and just wants to keep playing to the best of his ability.
"I think the boys, the place itself, it all plays a part in why I'm enjoying my footy and I love it here," smiled Ponga.
"It has probably been the happiest I've been... I'm just enjoying it.
"I just want to perform every week for the boys, just play good footy here at the Knights and if I get a call up to Origin, I'd be stoked to get it, but it's not my focus at the moment."
The Knights fullback maintains their performance against the South Sydney Rabbitohs wasn't up to scratch last week but against a home crowd again, he's confident they can get back to winning form.
"We weren't happy with the way we played, especially in front of a home crowd and we'll look to bounce back this week and hopefully get a win," he said.
"Last week we just didn't turn up and as a team we need to work together to fill the void (of Mitchell Pearce).
"We can definitely do it, it can be done and hopefully this weekend we can show that."
Ponga, who has had a hand in plenty of the side's tries, believes strong combinations are slowly growing in the new side, especially with forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon, who the youngster has guided to the line on more than one occasion.
"I do like Fitzy... he's a good hole runner, but it's something we have been working on," Ponga explained.
"Not only myself and Fitzy but as a team we've been working on combinations and we can get better because we're only fresh and it's exciting."
He said as a fullback he wants to be an attacking force on both sides of the field.
"I want to get it more in my game, as that's what fullbacks do... I'll try and attack everywhere, although we've got set plays where we all have to be," he added.
