After the Newcastle Knights suffered a 20-6 defeat to the Dragons, coach Adam O’Brien explained his choice to prevent star fullback Kalyn Ponga from playing just two days after the State of Origin opener, attributing the decision largely to scheduling issues. Ponga was set to play following his participation in Origin, but O’Brien decided to withdraw him due to an ankle injury that he had been managing prior to the match.
While Ponga’s Maroons teammate, Valentine Holmes, successfully featured for the Dragons and converted four goals, O’Brien expressed that Ponga had done everything possible to prepare for the game but acknowledged that the call to keep him sidelined was necessary. He admitted feeling a bit frustrated about the situation: “I took the decision away from him, because it was the right thing to do.”
O’Brien further elaborated on the difficulties Ponga faced, noting that the injury required more time to heal than just a couple of days. He mentioned that while other players like Holmes could recuperate and compete, Ponga’s circumstances were different due to the nature of his injury.
The Knights’ performance against the Dragons was markedly lacklustre compared to their previous game against the Panthers, which O’Brien attributed in part to the tight schedule heading into their upcoming match against Manly. He lamented that the club had to play again on Thursday, creating a scenario where the team would face three matches within just eight days, illustrating a lack of consideration for player welfare.
O’Brien voiced his concern over the scheduling, critiquing the NRL draw as not being player-friendly: “It would have been better if they provided a Saturday or Sunday slot next week,” he said. He questioned the logic behind the scheduling decisions, stating that teams like Canberra had yet to receive a bye while others were facing a grueling series of matches.
In light of these challenges, he maintained that the scheduling had no direct influence on the Knights’ performance against the Dragons, yet they remain at 14th on the ladder, just two wins away from the top eight.
Overall, the situation highlights ongoing discussions about the importance of player health in relation to match scheduling in rugby league. O’Brien’s decision to prioritise Ponga’s recovery underscores his commitment to his players, even as the Knights continue to seek better results on the field.