The Kalyn Ponga saga has taken another twist with revelations the star fullback is more likely to remain with the Knights if Josh Hannay is appointed coach of the club next season.

In a tumultuous week for the club, coach Adam O’Brien looks set to be sacked and Ponga has engaged a rugby union agent to explore a code switch.

But Wide World of Sports has been told that Ponga has a close bond with Hannay, forged in the Queensland State of Origin camp in recent years.

READ MORE: Carlton gun wins tribunal appeal for umpire collision

READ MORE: Galvin twist as Dogs, Eels swing axe on halves

READ MORE: Gallen’s savage snipe during intense SBW face-off

Hannay has worked as the Maroons assistant coach and helped fine-tune the brilliant Ponga’s fullback play.

“The two get on very well and if Hannay gets the Knights job, the chances of Ponga staying definitely increase,” a source close to the situation said on condition of anonymity.

Hannay is one of the favourites for the job, but is far from over the line.

Current assistant coach Blake Green is in with a chance, as is former Souths halfback Willie Peters, who has done great things with Hull Kingston Rovers in Super League in recent years.

Former Eels coach Brad Arthur is also in the mix, but he is more likely to end up at the Titans, replacing Des Hasler.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Ponga’s father has engaged a Kiwi agent and they are looking at Japanese rugby as Kiwi franchises could not afford his asking price, but it is far from a done deal.

Aussies in line for Super League job

With the coaching merry-go-round in full swing, four Aussies are also in line for the job at Castleford in Super League.

With just four wins this season, the club parted ways with Danny McGuire last week, putting Chris Chester in as interim coach.

But, depending on if he gets the Knights job, I’m hearing Blake Green is interested, along with former Knights coach Jason Demetriou, the much-travelled Ryan Carr and Cowboys assistant Justin Morgan.

Former star spotted at Souths training

Former Dragons halfback Jamie Soward set tongues wagging when he was spotted at Souths training on Monday.

Soward is very close to Wayne Bennett, with the pair working together closely when the Dragons last won a premiership in 2010.

The former classy halfback was seen passing on tips to the Rabbitohs young halves at the club’s base at Heffron.

So is Soward heading for an assistant job at the struggling Rabbitohs in 2026?

We contacted the former Dragons NRLW coach and he said no – it was just a one-off visit to see his former mentor and chat with the players.

Sibling duo catching the eye of selector

The Broncos are excited about a speedy outside back who is shining for Souths Logan Magpies in the Mal Meninga Cup.

Saia Poese, an 18-year-old who has also played GPS First XV rugby union, is signed to the club for the next couple of seasons and looks to have a bright future.

Hailing from Benji Marshall’s former school Keebra Park on the Gold Coast, Poese has looked the goods in the high-quality Langer Trophy competition and was outstanding for Souths Logan juniors last year.

His older brother Maika had a cracking season for the Canberra Raiders Under-19s in the SG Ball and is another lively prospect.

Two to watch.