'Never pick him again': Paul Gallen issues plea to Australian selectors after Ponga's Kangaroos backflip
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Paul Gallen has called for Kalyn Ponga to never be selected for representative football following the Newcastle star's messy withdrawal from the international series.
Ponga changed his mind late on Friday night about his availability for the Kangaroos, after an outcry from legends and the ARLC, that could have resulted in a ban next year.
But Gallen believes enough has been said by the 26-year-old's intentions to play in the national team and hopes selectors hold him accountable.
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"If he doesn't want to be picked, don't pick him again," Gallen said on 2GB's The Continuous Call Team.
"When you sign your $1.4 million contract you are signed to all the terms and conditions that are in there, you know them all. That means being available for Origin, being available for Test matches, representative matches."
Kalyn Ponga receives attention from the trainer. Getty
Gallen noted Ponga previously had an exemption in his contract to be eligible to represent the All Blacks following the conclusion of the NRL season.
"It is a big deal when only a year or two ago he signed a $1.4 contract and he wanted an exemption to go and play for the All Blacks," he said.
"No one has to explain what a good player Kalyn is. I would've picked him in the team whether he was fullback or not. He is one of the most influential players in the competition, I would've found a spot for him in the team.
"We should have our best players available for selection … he should be playing."
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The Knights star could still make his Kangaroos debut but Mal Meninga may hold his original decision against him at the selection table.
The national coach said there needs to be more education for the players about their obligations to representative football, which is clearly stated in all NRL contracts.
"I think the way that his team handled it created this mess," Meninga said.
"They were made fully aware that there is some due process.
Kalyn Ponga during his side's clash against the Rabbitohs. Getty
"He's been a victim of that really, and it's become a really public issue.
"The process needs to be fixed, the way you communicate with the game around your availability and eligibility.
"It's too grey at the moment and people don't quite understand it. There needs to be more clarity for the players and clubs to understand their responsibilities under the contractual agreements and the licensing agreements of clubs.
"That's the grey area. There needs to be clarity so everyone understands the protocols and processes ... then it stops all this confusion."
ARL Commission boss Peter V'landys lauded Ponga's change of heart, saying he made a "mistake" and the Queenslander is a "quality individual".
V'landys denied Ponga's initial decision would inspire other players to feign injury in order to avoid selection, with the controversy a reminder to players of their obligations to the game.
"I always look for the positives out of the negatives, and the positive is now the players are aware of the rule," V'landys said.
"I was watching a podcast from the players and none of them knew the rule either. That's a condition of their contract and a rule of their sport.
"In my personal view, there doesn't need to be a rule. The pinnacle of any sport is to represent your country. If you get the opportunity to represent your country, you should grab it with both hands, because later in life you will regret it [if you don't]."
He added: "The players are professionals, they won't feign injuries," V'landys said.
"I don't have any concern at all because in time, we will get pride into the Australian jumper. It will be a process, but that's one of our strong objectives, ensuring the Kangaroos jumper is the one all rugby league players aspire to."
