Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga arrived for pre-season training on Monday under new coach Justin Holbrook with the New Zealand star a full participant after making a recovery from a foot injury suffered in round 17 against Canberra.
But Ponga's presence on the training paddock did not seem as impactful as his appearance in an advertising campaign for Hellmann's mayonnaise and clothing label REIGNER.
In the ad, Ponga dispenses mayonnaise from a bow-tie he's wearing.
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The Knights star makes around $1.4 million a year from his NRL contract with the Knights and other NRL players took a dig at Ponga.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRIbRMHjzdE/?utm_source=ig_embed&
"Hope the $$ (money) was big lad," Knights teammate Matt Croker posted.
Titans star AJ Brimson added: "Interest rates crazy atm (at the moment)."
Roosters star Angus Crichton, Broncos premiership winner Jordan Riki and the son of Matthew Johns, former Knights player Jack, also weighed in with comments questioning the superstar.
Ponga has 371,000 followers on Instagram, making him one of the NRL's most recognisable players with a 'brand' almost as popular as Reece Walsh or Nathan Cleary.
Ponga was limited to just 13 games for the wooden spooners last year, with his injury-riddled season taking its toll on the club, with coach Adam O'Brien quitting his post as a result of the pressure and scrutiny.
Fit again Ponga arrived at training with other senior players, including Dane Gagai and Jacob Saifiti.
New signings Dylan Brown and Sandon Smith will join the club in the coming weeks.
There have been rumours that Ponga could look to push his way out of Newcastle, with the 27-year-old recently pictured speaking with New Zealand Warriors official, Andrew McFadden, in a sports bar in Auckland. There were also rumours earlier in the year that he was being lined up to join the Roosters to succeed James Tedesco at fullback.
The latest interaction in Auckland was passed off as a coincidence by Ponga's management.
Ponga is currently tied down to the Knights until 2027 and will form a new playmaker combination with big money signing Brown over the summer.
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