Kalyn Ponga charged over high tackle ahead of World Cup opener

Kalyn Ponga has been issued a Grade 1 careless high tackle charge by the NRL's Match Review Committee following a tackle on Victor Radley during the Newcastle Knights' grand final loss. The charge imposes a $1,000 fine for an early guilty plea or $1,500 if contested and lost. Despite the charge, Ponga is eligible to play for New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup opener against Australia next Thursday, as NRL suspensions apply to international matches. The grand final concluded with the Roosters narrowly defeating the Knights by a single point in a tightly contested match with over 80,000 spectators.

• 3:50 AMZero Tackle NRL — Kalyn Ponga charged by MRC over high shot