sport, local-sport, Kalyn Ponga, Kalyn Ponga splits with his manager, Newcastle Knights, Wayde Rushton

Kalyn Ponga has officially split with his manager Wayde Rushton, opening the door for the Knights to kick-start negotiations to re-sign the dynamic young fullback to a longer term contract. Ponga's father Andre announced the split via text message on Sunday, revealing it was finalised last week after four months of private talks. It's understood Ponga's contract with Rushton was due to expire in October. The terms of the separation will not be made public. "The managing situation is now resolved with [a] confidential separation and [we are] looking forward to moving on," the message read. "Because of the last four months experience, we now have decided to move in a different direction." Only last week, Knights CEO Phil Gardner told the Newcastle Herald that extending Ponga's contract beyond the end of 2021 was the number one recruitment priority for the club. "KP [Ponga] and the family know exactly what we'd like to do and where we stand on it," he said. "We have had those discussions with them. They've got to resolve where they see his future and how long an extension would be and what it would look like. "They are a very honourable family. KP's not like these other guys saying I'm not going to play unless I get extra. He's a great kid." Ironically, there is talk another of Rushton's high profile clients, Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell, is also leaving his management. The Ponga split comes as no surprise. There was speculation late last season that all was not well between the Ponga family and Rushton, who negotiated his original $2.4 million four year deal that brought him to Newcastle as one of the game's highest paid teenagers. It only intensified last August after Rushton met with Knights officials to discuss a new deal and reportedly asked for a new four year contract worth $6 million. Ponga was slammed on social media for being greedy despite having no knowledge of the meeting or the alleged contract terms. Privately, it's understood the family were left fuming. Less than two months earlier, Ponga's father told the Newcastle Herald: "We are very comfortable with where it's at with KP and the club. It's not about money - it never has been. He is happy, the girls [mum Adine and sister Kayley] are happy, I'm happy. There is no hurry to do anything. He still has another two years to go after this season." There are suggestions Andre, who works fulltime as a coal-miner, could take over his son's affairs now that he has cut ties with Rushton but nothing has been confirmed. # KNIGHTS coach Adam O'Brien has confirmed halfback Mitchell Pearce will again lead the side in 2020 after his captaincy was criticised late last season. "I could not be happier with Mitchell's leadership both on and off the field since I arrived at the club," O'Brien said.

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