In the News: Will KP back up?

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Wed 14 Jul 2021, 10:44 AM

There’s been no shortage of interest in our club this week.

The nib Newcastle Knights attracted plenty of media attention and we’ve pulled together some of it in case you missed it.

FRIZELL'S RETURN

In a huge boost for the team, Tyson Frizell has been named to return to the 17 in the back row.

The Origin rep hasn't been sighted since our Round 12 win over Manly, where a syndesmosis injury ruled him out of both the Origin series and four matches for the Knights.

In an exclusive chat with Newcastle Herald journalist Barry Toohey, Head Coach Adam O'Brien expressed his delight in Frizell's early return.

"Friz is one of the most professional players I have ever been associated with," O'Brien said.

"I'm told these injuries can sometimes take up to eight weeks to fully repair but he has just thrown himself head-first into his rehab and ticked off all the boxes to date to return.

"There is a couple of sessions left for him to get through but provided he does that, his return is a really big boost for us."

PONGA PENCILLED IN

Further to O'Brien's chat with Toohey, the Boss revealed Kalyn Ponga is likely to back up from Origin III should he come out of the game injury free.

The dynamic No.1 returned with a bang in Round 16, with Ponga running riot in the 38-0 win over the Cowboys.

Tex Hoy has been named on the extended bench as cover, however O'Brien said he was confident Ponga would take the field.

"KP knows his body better than anyone so if he comes out of Wednesday night's game telling me he is good to go and our medical staff green light it, I'll certainly run him out," O'Brien said.

PEARCE READY FOR QLD MOVE

With 12 Clubs packing up and moving north of the border with just a few days notice, you could forgive the players for being caught a little off guard.

Not Mitchell Pearce.

The No.7 has his sights firmly set on a charge to the finals, regardless of where the games are played.

He was quick to point this out on a zoom media call on Monday morning, just hours after learning the news.

“We’ve got ourselves closer to the eight, right on the corner of the eight and as a Newcastle club, we know how important the finish to the year is so we’re happy to play wherever,” he said on Monday.