South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold says the Rabbitohs must become the first NRL team to stop Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga if they are to defeat the Knights.
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold wants his players to keep opposing fullback Kalyn Ponga "in a foam box" in Friday night's NRL road clash with Newcastle.
The only problem for Seibold and his men? The last seven teams the Knights have faced this year have tried to do the same thing and failed.
Ponga has been the breakout star of 2018, leading the Knights for linebreaks, linebreak assists, try-assists, run metres and tackle busts.
The 20-year-old's importance has taken on a great level in the past fortnight, after halfback Mitchell Pearce was ruled out for up to 16 weeks with a pectoral injury.
His response, to set up the match-winning try against Manly last weekend.
"It's obviously been challenging for the first eight games, because I think he's had 68 tackle breaks in eight games, which is phenomenal," Seibold said.
"I think the closest person to him is 43 tackle breaks and that's (Sydney Roosters fullback James) Tedesco.
"It shows how much of an influence he has had on the team.
"It's going to be important for us to put him in the foam box and don't give him too much space."
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold wants his players to keep opposing fullback Kalyn Ponga "in a foam box" in Friday night's NRL road clash with Newcastle.
The only problem for Seibold and his men? The last seven teams the Knights have faced this year have tried to do the same thing and failed.
Ponga has been the breakout star of 2018, leading the Knights for linebreaks, linebreak assists, try-assists, run metres and tackle busts.
The 20-year-old's importance has taken on a great level in the past fortnight, after halfback Mitchell Pearce was ruled out for up to 16 weeks with a pectoral injury.
His response, to set up the match-winning try against Manly last weekend.
"It's obviously been challenging for the first eight games, because I think he's had 68 tackle breaks in eight games, which is phenomenal," Seibold said.
"I think the closest person to him is 43 tackle breaks and that's (Sydney Roosters fullback James) Tedesco.
"It shows how much of an influence he has had on the team.
"It's going to be important for us to put him in the foam box and don't give him too much space."
