Five-star Ponga: Knights skipper ready to electrify US fans

The NRL’s biggest names have declared Kalyn Ponga is the player to watch this year as he looks to put a frustrating run of injuries behind him. 

The Knights captain will make his first appearance of the year at Allegiant Stadium, with rival players predicting the fullback will put on a show for the US fans. 

The 2023 Dally M Medallist, Ponga almost single-handedly carried Newcastle to the finals that season in one of the most electrifying stretches seen on an NRL field. 

The 27-year-old enters 2026 eager to recreate those highs as he looks to lead the Knights back to the finals after an injury-affected 2025 campaign.

That mindset has rival players on edge as they attempt to shut down the fullback this year. 

"He knows what his strengths are," Manly's Jamal Fogarty said. "He sticks to them, he backs himself and he puts a fair bit of fear into oppositions. 

"When you've got the speed, raw talent and work ethic, you could be anything. He backs himself, he knows what he's good at and he executes."

Fogarty's Sea Eagles teammate Kobe Hetherington agrees.

"I'd rather tackle a front rower that's running straight at me than someone that's got footwork like Kalyn," Hetherington said. "He's got the agility and strength, he's a tough one to play."

One of the biggest names in the game, Ponga is set to dazzle an international audience live and on television when he steps on to the field on Saturday night (local time).

Newcastle's clash with North Queensland is the second of a bumper triple-header at the venue. Super League clubs Leeds and Hull KR will kick off the day and Canterbury will take on St George Illawarra in the final match of the NRL's season opener.

Hull KR are riding high after defeating Reece Walsh's Broncos in last week's World Club Challenge.

The Brisbane fullback starred at a sold-out MKM Stadium in Hull and came agonisingly close to pulling off yet another stunning second-half comeback. 

Walsh and Ponga's names come up repeatedly when NRL stars are quizzed on the game's most skilful players. 

Hudson Young couldn't split the pair, while Damien Cook also threw Latrell Mitchell into the mix. Rocco Berry said Cody Walker is the toughest player to defend and Tom Gilbert cited Cam Munster's elite ball-carrying and kicking game. 

The players mentioned all boast rapid acceleration, fancy footwork and the strength required to brush off defenders. The combination of skill, speed and agility allows them to turn the slightest gap into a line break and change a game in an instant.

Walsh rocketed to international superstardom with a stunning finish to the 2025 season, helping the Broncos pull off comebacks in three-straight finals games before starring for the Kangaroos in the Ashes. 

The fullback's try in the grand final was one of the most remarkable feats of strength and skill as he beat five Storm defenders on the way to the line.

Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has had the chance to work closely with Walsh in the Queensland and Australian set ups and said few players come close to the 23-year-old's skill level. 

"It's hard to go past Walshy," Fa'asuamaleaui said. "What he did in that finals series and then going on to the Ashes. His skill is pretty good, it's pretty darn good.

"It's probably what won them the finals series, so it's hard to go past him. There's a lot of skilful players, Kalyn Ponga is a very skilful player, but it's hard to go past Walsh." 

Tom Trbojevic succinctly summed up the view of most rival teams when identifying Walsh's greatest skill.

"When he's got the ball in his hands, you feel like he can do anything," the Sea Eagles skipper said. 

Whether it's Ponga, Walsh or a host of others, the skill level in the NRL has never been higher. 

Recent rule changes have increased ball in play time and fatigue to create even more opportunities for the sport's biggest stars to break a game open with a freakish piece of brilliance. 

The rugby league field is their stage, and now it's time for fans to tune in, sit back and enjoy the show.

• Catch all the action from the NRL's season opener at Allegiant Stadium LIVE on Fox Sports, Kayo, Nine and WatchNRL.