Background
He is the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder and his sister Megan Tahapeehi has also represented the Kiwi Ferns.
He is the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder and his sister Megan Tahapeehi has also represented the Kiwi Ferns.
Originally from the West Coast, Pongia transferred east in 1988 and played in the Canterbury Rugby League competition, representing the province in 1991 and 1992. Pongia later played for the Canberra Raiders. He also became a New Zealand international and played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.
Pongia played for the Auckland Warriors and was the NZRL player of the year in 1998.He joined the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League before heading to France.
Pongia went to France as player coach of Paris Chattilon, but it didn’t work out and he moved to Villeneuve, winning both the Championship and the Lord Derby Cup with the side. In 2003, after the French season had finished, Pongia returned to Australia and played two matches for the Saint George Illawarra Dragons.
He then finished his career in England playing for the Wigan Warriors. Pongia played for the Wigan Warriors at prop forward in the 2003 Super League Grand Final which was lost to the Bradford Bulls.
He was forced to retire from rugby league after it was discovered that he suffered from hepatitis B.
In 2009 Pongia was the strength and conditioning coach for the Canberra Raiders Toyota Cup side.
He was promoted to assistant coach for the Raiders National Rugby League team for the 2010 season. During the 2009 Four Nations Pongia was an assistant trainer and mentor for the New Zealand Kiwis. He was replaced as a Raiders assistant coach for the 2012 season by Justin Morgan.