6 days ago
34
Kalyn Ponga may have appeared in one of the most bizarre sponsorship deals we’ve ever seen in sport.
The Newcastle Knights star returned to pre-season training on Monday, but sent his team-mates into meltdown after he appeared in a partnership with Hellmann’s and Melbourne fashion brand REIGNER that showed him promoting clothes that squirted mayonnaise.
Rumours have been bubbling away that Ponga could be in talks over a move away from the Knights, with the 27-year-old being pictured last week speaking with New Zealand Warriors general manager of recruitment, Andrew McFadden, in the Warriors’ sports bar in Auckland.
The meeting has been dubbed a ‘coincidence’ by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas. But rumours have been mounting that Ponga, who is currently tied down to the Knights until 2027, could be on his way out of the club.
Despite that, Ponga looked relaxed as he joined up with his team-mates on Monday. But all eyes were on him for another reason.
As part of the brand campaign, Ponga was dressed up in a glittery white suit made by REIGNER.
Footy star Kalyn Ponga (pictured) has stunned fans and his team-mates by appearing in a bizarre advert with Hellman's mayonnaise and fashion brand REIGNER
The showstopper on his outfit was his navy blue bow tie, with the footy player able to dispense mayo from the accessory
It comes as research conducted by Hellmann's states that one in five Aussies admit to sneaking their own mayo into a restaurant
The eclectic and unique outfitter describes itself as ‘an Australian label tailored for the metropolitan city slicker that dreams of being in the outdoors. The range is all-purpose and made to be worn anywhere.’
Ponga’s white suit was embroidered with floral patterns, with a series of roses sewn into the lapels and trouser legs of the suit.
He complemented that with a blue shirt and of course, the showstopper, a navy bow tie that sensationally dispenses mayonnaise.
As part of new research, undertaken by Hellmann’s, it is understood that one in five Aussies have sensationally admitted to sneaking their own condiments into restaurants.
Over half of those surveyed said they would laugh if a date pulled out a secret sauce sachet during dinner.
So in a bid to bring mayonnaise to every table, Hellmann’s and REIGNER have teamed up with Ponga to launch their brand new mayo dispensing bowtie, called the ‘BYO Bow’.
The BYO Bow, which is an abbreviation of Bring Your Own Bow, has a small sachet of mayo hidden inside and those wearing the jazzy accessory can lean forward, point and squirt mayonnaise or a condiment of their choice easily onto their food.
As Ponga demonstrates during the brand campaign, it’s a pretty neat contraption, with the footy star leaning forward, revealing a hidden dispenser behind his bow tie, before managing to avoid getting sauce on his sparkly white suit and squirt a dollop of mayo on his dinner.
Ponga, who is contracted to the Knights until 2027, returned to pre-season training on Monday
But some of the Newcastle star's (pictured) team-mates, including Mat Croker, have poked fun at him for the advertising stunt
‘On the field, I’m known for my creativity and energy - teaming up with Hellmann’s mayonnaise was a fun way to bring that same vibe to the table,’ Kalyn Ponga said.
‘The BYO Bow is unexpected, cheeky, and seriously stylish. Aussies love their mayonnaise, and this just proves we’ll go to any lengths to get our fix.’
James Noble, a designer at REIGNER, added: ‘Partnering with Hellmann’s to design the BYO Bow was a chance to merge fashion design with delicious - a bow tie that turns heads while dispensing mayo at the same time.’
Meanwhile, some of Ponga’s team-mates and friends have been poking fun at the footy star over the bizarre advertising stunt.
His Newcastle team-mate, Mat Croker, joked on Instagram: ‘Hope the $ was big lad.’
Jordan Riki posted a laughing face emoji with the caption: ‘Ayeeeeeeeeee.’
AJ Brimson also wrote: ‘Interest rates crazy atm.’
‘Hahahah this is wild,’ Angus Crichton, who is currently holidaying in Norway with his pregnant wife, said.
