Knights v Cowboys: Captain Kalyn returns; Chester's long wait over
A new era will begin for the Knights in Las Vegas as high-profile recruit Dylan Brown plays his first NRL game for the club when Newcastle take on North Queensland.
The Kiwis star arrived in Newcastle with plenty of expectations after signing a long-term deal last year and Sunday's clash at Allegiant Stadium provides an immediate chance to make an impact on the big stage.
The clash with the Cowboys will be the first of the new NRL season and both fan bases have high hopes for more success in 2026.
Plenty has changed in Newcastle after Justin Holbrook took over as coach in the off-season. Halfback Sandon Smith joined the club from the Roosters and is set to partner Brown in the halves.
Star fullback Kalyn Ponga is back healthy and eager to burst out of the gates after being kept in cotton wool throughout the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge.
The Cowboys are also looking to start the new year on the front foot after a disappointing 2026 that saw them miss the eight.
Tom Dearden will again lead from the front, while Heilum Luki is preparing to play his first NRL game since the 2024 finals after tearing his ACL before the start of last season.
Match: Knights v Cowboys
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Cowboys
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: A huge boost for the Knights with skipper Kalyn Ponga set to play his first game since Round 17 last year having fully recovered from a foot injury. Centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) and five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe (hamstring) are also good to go for the season opener. Sharpe will partner star signing Dylan Brown in the halves while former Rooster Sandon Smith wears the No.14 jersey. Fletcher Hunt and Francis Manuleleua are listed as No.18 and No.19 while Tyson Gamble and James Schiller are part of the extended squad. The Knights are out to continue an impressive opening round record that has seen them win six of their past eight Round 1 games.
Cowboys: The two-game ban handed to Zac Laybutt for a lifting tackle during the Pre-Season Challenge sees Tom Chester come into the centres for his first NRL game since Round 17 in 2024. Chester missed the 2025 season due to an ACL injury. Jake Clifford and Tom Dearden are the halves with Jaxon Purdue in the centres. Star recruit Reed Mahoney starts at hooker alongside experienced big men Coen Hess and Jason Taumalolo. Former Panther Soni Luke gets the nod in the No.14 role while Griffin Neame (shoulder) and John Bateman (wrist) are listed as No.18 and No.19 on their return from injury. Young gun Liam Sutton and PNG international Robert Derby are part of the extended squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson FrizellLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas CantInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Harrison Edwards
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Pasami SauloInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kai O'Donnell
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher HuntInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Francis ManuleleuaInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 John Bateman
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Tyson GambleReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Liam Sutton
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Cody HopwoodReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Matthew Lodge
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 James SchillerReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert Derby
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have not defeated the Cowboys since 2021.
- Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden has scored a try in his last five games against the Knights.
- The Knights have lost their last nine NRL games.
- Cowboys winger Braidon Burns has scored a try in his last five NRL games.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored six tries in five games against the Cowboys.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
