Kalyn Ponga is set to reject the Dolphins to sign with the Newcastle Knights.
The deal has not yet been finalised but News Corp has been told it could be announced as early as this week with the contract set to be worth between $1.1m and $1.2m a season.
Ponga had been rumoured to sign with the Dolphins as Wayne Bennett has attempted to build his side up for their first season in the NRL in 2023.
The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio believes the Dolphins should have gone all in for Ponga in the first place.
“I can’t believe they didn’t go harder earlier and straight away at Kalyn Ponga,” Riccio said.
“I just think he is a franchise player that they could have sold to the stars.”
“I would love to see Kalyn stay at Newcastle, I really would and I think the best investment for the Dolphins moving forward, and it is just my opinion, is I think they go all in for Cameron Munster,” said Fox Sports commentator and former NSW hooker, Michael Ennis.
“And then they try and get Reece Walsh, I really do.
“I think you can’t afford to spend the amount of money on Munster and Ponga, I think they are far better suited, you get Reece Walsh for half the price of Ponga.”