The fullback's cited his priority is to win an NRL premiership at Newcastle with a full pre-season.
Andrew Johns has no issue with Ponga's move, but labelled the Knights handling of the situation as incompetent.
His preference was to play Pinocchio with the truth by suggesting Ponga would be getting his ankle cleared out.
Brad Fittler's tried to put the prestige of the fixture in context.
James Tedesco - who will line up for the Roosters in tomorrow's first NRL preliminary final against the Storm - is the front-runner for the Kangaroos number one jersey in Ponga's absence.
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