Kalyn Ponga is one of the most talented and exciting players in the National Rugby League (NRL). The 24-year-old fullback has been dazzling fans and critics alike with his speed, agility, and creativity on the field. He is also one of the highest paid players in the league, having signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Newcastle Knights in 2022. But who is Kalyn Ponga, and how did he become such a sensation? In this article, we will explore his salary, contract, net worth, earning career, personal life, and how much he makes for each game. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about him.
Kalyn Ponga Salary and Contract
Kalyn Ponga’s current contract with the Knights is worth $4.5 million over five years, starting from the 2022 season and ending in 2027. This means he earns an average of $900,000 per year, making him one of the highest paid players in the NRL. His contract also includes a $1 million bonus if he wins the Dally M Medal, which is awarded to the best player in the league.
Ponga’s contract does not have any options or clauses that would allow him to switch codes or clubs before 2027. He has expressed his loyalty and commitment to the Knights, saying that he wants to win a premiership with them and that Newcastle is his home. He has also dismissed any rumours of him playing rugby union or joining the Dolphins, a new NRL club based in Queensland.
Net Worth and Earning Career
Kalyn Ponga’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 20233. This is based on his salary, endorsements, and investments. Ponga has been sponsored by several brands, such as Nike, Red Bull, and Beats by Dre. He also owns a property in Newcastle worth $1.5 million.
Ponga started his professional rugby league career in 2016, when he debuted for the North Queensland Cowboys at the age of 18. He played only two games for the Cowboys before signing a five-year deal with the Knights worth $3.6 million in 2017. He made his debut for the Knights in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the team and the league. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and was nominated for the Dally M Medal in 2018 and 2019. He also represented Queensland in the State of Origin series in 2018 and 2019, and New Zealand in international matches in 2019 and 2020.
Personal Life
Kalyn Ponga was born on March 30, 1998, in Port Hedland, Western Australia. He is of Maori descent and has a younger brother named Kacey. His parents are Andre and Adine Ponga, who have been very supportive of his rugby league career. His father was a former rugby union player who played for Samoa and New Zealand.
Ponga grew up in Palmerston North, New Zealand, where he attended Palmerston North Boys’ High School. He excelled in various sports, such as rugby union, touch rugby, golf, cricket, and soccer. He was also a gifted student who achieved academic excellence.
Ponga moved to Australia in 2013, when he joined the Brisbane Broncos’ junior system. He then switched to the Cowboys in 2015, where he played for their under-20s team before making his NRL debut in 2016.
Ponga is currently dating Tahlia Giumelli, a model and former Miss Universe Australia finalist. They have been together since 2019 and often share their photos on social media.
How Much Does He Make for Each Game?
According to NRL rules, each club has a salary cap of $9.8 million for their top 30 players in 2023. This means that each player can earn a maximum of $326,666 per year from their club contract. However, this does not include bonuses, incentives, or representative payments.
Kalyn Ponga’s contract with the Knights pays him $900,000 per year, which is well above the salary cap limit. This means that he has to sacrifice some of his earnings to fit under the cap. The exact amount of his sacrifice is not publicly known, but it is estimated to be around $200,000 per year. This means that he earns around $700,000 per year from his club contract.
If we divide this by 24 regular season games plus up to four finals games, we can estimate that Ponga makes around $26,000 per game for the Knights. However, this does not include his earnings from playing for Queensland or New Zealand, which can add up to another $100,000 per year. This means that Ponga can make up to $36,000 per game in total.
Conclusion
Kalyn Ponga is one of the most talented and exciting players in the NRL. He has a lucrative contract with the Knights, a high net worth, and a bright future ahead of him. He is also a humble and loyal person who loves his family, girlfriend, and club. He is a role model for many young rugby league fans and aspiring players.
FAQ
Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about Kalyn Ponga:
Q: How old is Kalyn Ponga?
A: Kalyn Ponga is 25 years old as of 2023. He was born on March 30, 1998.
Q: What position does Kalyn Ponga play?
A: Kalyn Ponga plays as a fullback, which is the number 1 jersey in rugby league. He can also play as a five-eighth, which is the number 6 jersey.
Q: What team does Kalyn Ponga play for?
A: Kalyn Ponga plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. He also plays for Queensland in the State of Origin series and New Zealand in international matches.
Q: How tall is Kalyn Ponga?
A: Kalyn Ponga is 184 cm (6 ft) tall and weighs 88 kg (194 lb).
Q: How many tries has Kalyn Ponga scored?
A: Kalyn Ponga has scored 38 tries in 83 NRL games as of August 2023. He has also scored four tries for Queensland and three tries for New Zealand.
Q: How much does Kalyn Ponga earn?
A: Kalyn Ponga earns $900,000 per year from his contract with the Knights, but he sacrifices some of it to fit under the salary cap. He also earns extra money from playing for Queensland or New Zealand, as well as from endorsements and investments. His net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023.
Q: Who is Kalyn Ponga’s girlfriend?
A: Kalyn Ponga’s girlfriend is Tahlia Giumelli, a model and former Miss Universe Australia finalist. They have been dating since 2019.
Q: Where is Kalyn Ponga from?
A: Kalyn Ponga was born in Port Hedland, Western Australia, but he grew up in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He moved to Australia in 2013 to pursue his rugby league career. He is of Maori descent and has a New Zealand passport.
Q: What are Kalyn Ponga’s hobbies and interests?
A: Kalyn Ponga enjoys playing golf, fishing, surfing, and gaming. He also likes listening to music, watching movies, and reading books.
Q: What are Kalyn Ponga’s goals and achievements?
A: Kalyn Ponga’s main goal is to win a premiership with the Knights and a World Cup with New Zealand. He has already achieved many accolades in his career, such as winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2018, being nominated for the Dally M Medal twice, and representing Queensland and New Zealand at the highest level.