Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga and his teammate are kicked out of the same pub toilet cubicle by a security guard – as club launches investigation
- Footage shows Ponga and Kurt Mann being kicked out of a pub toilet cubicle
- It’s unclear why the pair were in the same cubicle together
- Ponga’s father said he was just sick after a few drinks and his mate helped him
Footage has emerged of NRL superstar Kalyn Ponga and his Newcastle teammate Kurt Mann being kicked out of the same pub toilet cubicle by security guards.
It’s unclear why the 24-year-old, who signed a whopping five-year $5million contract with the club in April, was in the cubicle with Mann.
The Knights are now aware of the footage, and confirmed to News Corp they had received answers after ‘seeking an explanation’.
In the video, a security guard can be heard saying: ‘Oh! That’s a surprise’ before Mann and Ponga leave the toilet.
Kalyn Ponga (left) and Kurt Mann (right) have been identified in a recently-released video that shows the pair being kicked out of the same toilet cubicle at a pub
Ponga’s father Andre said his son needed assistance from Mann when he fell ill while drinking.
‘He made an exciting house purchase Saturday and celebrated with a few mates drinking. Sick in the toilet and his mate went in to help him, ‘Andre Ponga told the Daily Telegraph.
The claim was backed up by the duo during the club’s investigation, with sources telling News Corp that Mann accompanied Ponga because his mate was sick while the pair were out enjoying drinks on Saturday to celebrate the purchase.
Kalyn Ponga was reportedly celebrating because he bought a new house
The pair told the club the cubicle door was open at all times, which is somewhat confusing giving the security guard can be clearly seen opening the door at the start of the video, before expressing his shock at finding Ponga.
Both men are fully clothed when they exit the cubicle.
Ponga and Mann are very close mates, and often feature on each other’s social media feeds.
The duo are both currently sidelined with injury, and drinking while injured is, at most NRL clubs, is a huge no-no given alcohol impairs healing.
Knights star Kalyn Ponga is currently sidelined after suffering yet another concussion recently
Mann is nursing a quad injury, while Ponga has been sidelined since July 22 after suffering his third concussion in six weeks – which is of great concern for the club, who have opted to take a conservative approach.
Ponga said on Sunday that he would not be back for the rest of the season, after suffering from some debilitating side effects – though he admitted it wasn’t his choice to sit out.
‘My season’s done. It’s a bit weird. I feel OK now. At the start I felt a bit weird, headaches and whatnot, but I feel all right now,’ he told Triple M Newcastle.
Ponga (left, pictured with Knights teammate Jack Johns) has reportedly told the club he was in the cubicle because he was sick
Early this year, Tigers winger David Nofoaluma was stood down by the club for drinking while injured. Like Ponga, the 28-year-old was also dealing with concussion.
Corey Norman, Michael Jennings and Joel Thompson are other high-profile examples of players suspended for drinking while injured.
There is no word yet whether either Mann or Ponga will face any disciplinary action for drinking while injured.
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