Kalyn Ponga back at Newcastle Knights training in massive development

The Knights have received some good news after Kalyn Ponga returned to training following his trip overseas regarding his latest concussion. Phoenix Crossland has been named at five-eighth for this weekend's NRL game against the Warriors, with Jackson Hastings at halfback as the Knights wait for Ponga to make a comeback.

Ponga was injured for the second time this year in the first few minutes of the game against the Wests Tigers in round two. The concussion was the fourth for Ponga in 12 months and it sparked huge concern for the Knights captain and his playing future.

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The club sent Ponga over to Canada at the end of March to undergo testing in Vancouver using a device that can measure brain activity, which is not yet available in Australia. And in good signs, Ponga has returned to training with his teammates.

However, the former fullback won't be playing this week as it comes too soon for the 25-year-old to recover from the ugly head knock. At the time, the club decided the five-eighth needed extra treatment after the latest in a string of brutal head knocks.

"Management of concussion is a complex issue for everyone involved. We see this as an opportunity to gather additional information to assist Kalyn in his recovery," Knights head of football Peter Parr said in a statement on Ponga's trip to Canada.

"Our broader aim, under the guidance of Professor Chris Levi, is to develop a model of care that will advance our capacity in supporting players with concussion. Kalyn remains in good spirits and wishes to thank everyone who has enquired about his health."

Ponga won't return until the results of his special assessment are returned. The Knights and the Sea Eagles played out a remarkable 32-all draw on the weekend, the first draw in the NRL for two years.

New NRL concussion protocols introduced

Ponga's trip to Canada follows similar moves made by rival fullbacks Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Ryan Papenhuyzen in the past 12 months. All three made trips to the United States to work with Philadelphia-based specialist Bill Knowles on different leg issues.

Only three weeks after Ponga's head knock, James Tedesco was involved in a sickening high-tackle that left him motionless on the ground. Bailey Simonsson was fortunate not to be sent off rather than sin-binned after a brutal high shot that knocked Tedesco out of the Sydney Roosters' clash with Parramatta.

Tedesco will automatically miss Thursday's clash with the Melbourne Storm due to the NRL's new 11-day stand-down policy for concussed players. He will not be able to resume contact training until part way through their preparations for the round seven match against Cronulla.

This sparked an angry response from Roosters coach Trent Robinson who called on the NRL to make a definitive call on whether head-high contact should merit a send-off, considering the new protocols can effectively see players miss two games for concussions. "I don't want to talk about that incident in particular because I know Simonsson didn't leave the ground," Robinson said.

"But Ted is now out for two weeks and it was high contact. Based on where we are at at the moment, they need to let us know whether that is 10 minutes or a send-off. Where we need to get to, I don't know. I sit on the fence on this one."

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