Jahrome Hughes starred for Melbourne 22 days after breaking his arm last year and says Kalyn Ponga is on track to make his own stunning comeback for New Zealand, if he can tick one key box.

Ponga, named on an extended bench for the Kiwis’ semi-final against Tonga at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night, trained strongly on Wednesday. 

Coach Stacey Jones said Ponga still had ‘a few boxes to tick’, with the injured star leaning on advice from Hughes. 

Ponga played for more than 20 minutes with his injury in New Zealand’s epic tournament-opening 24-22 loss to Australia before undergoing surgery in the hope of returning for the finals.

Kiwis halfback Hughes broke his arm against Brisbane in a final-round game in 2025, before returning for the preliminary final to inspire a victory over Cronulla.

Hughes revealed the one piece of advice he gave ‘KP’ as Ponga attempts to face red-hot Tonga just 23 days after suffering the fracture. 

Kalyn Ponga is pushing for a stunning World Cup comeback just 23 days after breaking his arm

The New Zealand star underwent surgery after suffering the injury against Australia

‘(Storm) had a week off after we won that first final, and we had a full opposed session and I wanted to get a full contact session in,’ Hughes said.

‘That gave me all the confidence in the world that a week later I’d be able to do my job on the field. If I wasn’t able to do that I wouldn’t have played.

‘(Ponga) has got to have confidence in his arm and feel right. You don’t want him to worry about his arm the whole game because that will take away from his game.

‘He is training really well. That’s another step towards playing.’

Jones kept his cards close to his chest when asked if Ponga would start the match if fit.

‘We will get through one more session and see where it goes. Kalyn is looking pretty good,’ he said.

Ponga and fellow Newcastle fan favourite Phoenix Crossland, also named on the extended bench, could spell double trouble for Tonga.

A month after Ponga and Gagai played in Newcastle’s 19-18 NRL grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters, the veteran centre backed the former Dally M Medallist to trouble Tonga and provide a huge boost for the Kiwis. 

Jahrome Hughes says Ponga must have confidence in his arm before returning to action

Kiwis coach Stacey Jones says Ponga still has boxes to tick before being cleared to play

‘That’ll just come down to the boxes he’ll have to tick with the physios and stuff, but one thing that’s never in question is Kalyn’s toughness and I don’t think he gets enough credit or praise for it,’ Gagai said.

‘Some of the games he’s played with injury. It was only maybe a year or two ago with his AC [acromioclavicular joint] and getting that injected, but he’ll put his head in most places that people won’t put their hands.

‘So I’ve got no doubt he’ll do everything he can to make sure he can take that field. It’s just a case of whether he can tick those boxes and he’ll know whether he’s capable of playing or not.

‘He won’t put himself before the team, but we’d obviously love to have him out there.’

Jones said Crossland could also be a late inclusion after completing a four-game suspension for a hip-drop tackle that left Nathan Cleary with a broken ankle during Newcastle’s preliminary-final victory over Penrith. 

Gagai also welcomed the prospect of Crossland featuring in the do-or-die showdown as New Zealand prepare to face an in-form Tonga side. 

‘He’s come in a bit later into camp, but even though he wasn’t playing he’s always himself and brings a lot of energy,’ Gagai said.

‘He’s awesome to have around the place. It’s going to be good to be able to chuck this jersey on with him and nice to know that the game against Penrith wasn’t our last together.

‘So I’m definitely looking forward to that and I’m super happy for him.’