Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has revealed Kalyn Ponga “will certainly come into calculations” for a shock World Cup call-up, despite a long concussion lay-off and his toilet cubicle incident.

Ponga’s immediate playing future is clouded due to the twin dramas, with the NRL’s integrity unit launching a probe after Ponga and Newcastle teammate Kurt Mann were escorted out of a toilet cubicle last weekend. The pair have subsequently been target-tested for illicit substances.

Even if Ponga is cleared of wrongdoing, he will face a long sabbatical after being ordered to rest following a concussion he suffered on July 22. However, league officials are trying to organise a Prime Minister’s XIII match for the first time since 2019, which will probably be staged in the third week of the NRL finals series.

The fixture, which had been shelved due to COVID, could provide Ponga with valuable match practice and a platform to stake a claim for a spot in Australia’s World Cup squad.

Meninga said Ponga would be considered if deemed fit and available.

“He was the victorious Queensland fullback, he will certainly come into calculations,” Meninga said. “I don’t think because of a lack of games that you’re any less of a player.

“When you look at the World Cup, we’ve got Fiji, Scotland and Italy. I’m pretty comfortable putting in players who haven’t played for a while, and that’s including players from the bottom eight.

“They will be able to get their match fitness up in those three games, there’s no doubt about that. If we’ve got the PM’s [clash], that’s four games. When it comes to the selection process, they need to be ratified by the game itself, but Kalyn might not get to that stage because the club and the specialist might say he’s better off having a good rest.”