North Queensland teammate Johnathan Thurston suggested to Channel Nine that Ponga had resisted overtures from New Zealand to play for Australia. Meanwhile Queensland Rugby League and NRL said they had not received advice from Ponga.

The 18-year-old was born in Western Australia but has a New Zealand father making him eligible to play for both countries.

Channel Nine reported that Ponga’s allegiance was as clear as mud. Ponga was a part of New Zealand train-on squad last year and Kiwis coach David Kidwell said on Wednesday he hoped to see Ponga wearing a black jumper in the near future.

Ponga is not expected to make an official call on his eligibility until next year's junior Test between the Kiwis and Australia - which he sat out last year because he was still making up his mind.

However, Thurston indicated Ponga was leaning towards playing for Kangaroos and Maroons.

"I think he's leapt towards the Kangaroos," Thurston told New Zealand radio station Newshub.

"He pretty much made (the decision) on his own. His family's from here in New Zealand and he's spent most of his time growing up in Queensland.

"He feels as though he's an Aussie, he feels as though he's a Queenslander and I think that's what got him over the line."

Ponga was chased by four sports and six clubs, including the Brisbane Lions, Queensland Reds, Broncos, Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm, before signing with the Cowboys.

His contact will run out next year and will be on the market for potentially another club from November 1.