'Where it started': How Vegas launched Knights rapid rise
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Newcastle star Bradman Best has opened up on the role the Las Vegas season opener played in the side's stunning charge to the second week of the finals.
While they finished with the wooden spoon in 2025, there was plenty of intrigue surrounding the Knights heading into the new year.
With a new coach, a host of high-profile recruits and a healthy Kalyn Ponga, Allegiant Stadium provided the perfect stage to prove they were genuine contenders this season.
The fullback starred as Newcastle claimed an impressive 28-18 win over the Cowboys and they haven't looked back.
Knights v Cowboys – Round 1, 2026
"That's where it started for us," Best told NRL.com. "We spoke in pre-season about Round 1 being a very important game for us. It was where we could show who we are and what we're about this year. That game definitely laid the platform.
"Coming home I truly believed we had the team to do something special. We basically had the same team as last year and added a few people. They were great signings, they've been massive for us.
"After Vegas I truly believed we could turn the team around and make finals and we're doing that."
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The Knights are eager to continue a remarkable rise when they play the Warriors at a sold-out Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.
The winner will take on the Panthers in next week's preliminary final at Accor Stadium.
It's a position few expected Newcastle would be in after they finished last in 2025 however new coach Justin Holbrook has totally revamped their attack and introduced a host of exciting young players.
Bradman Best Try
Halfback Sandon Smith worked with Holbrook during his time as an assistant at the Roosters and didn't hesitate when an opportunity to join him at the Knights emerged.
The playmaker said it quickly became clear the moment he arrived in Newcastle the coach was building something special.
"It started back in November when we first came to training," Smith said. "The coaching staff has done a great job off the back of last year coming in and straight away creating an environment and style of play that we want to play and can execute.
"They've instilled that belief in us that if we do that we'll be a strong side and that's where it all started."
Confidence is high heading into Sunday's match but the Knights have faced plenty of adversity throughout the season.
Halfback Dylan Brown tore his ACL in Round 21 on a horror night that also saw Dylan Lucas fracture his ankle.
The backrower is in the frame for a shock comeback on Sunday afternoon and even has his sights on a place in the Kangaroos' World Cup squad.
Many feared the pair's absence would cripple Newcastle's season but Smith slid straight into the No.7 jumper and Francis Manuleleua has been a revelation throughout the past couple of months.
McEwen gets career first double!
Along with emerging forward Jermaine McEwen, the pair have tormented opposition defenders in recent weeks and experienced forward Tyson Frizell is expecting more of the same this weekend.
"They've been playing without any fear and they're both a ball of energy at the moment," Frizell said. "Francis has got his opportunity at the back end of the year with Dylan being out.
He's always been a player full of talent just waiting for his opportunity. He's been working hard behind the scenes and is getting the rewards now.
"Jermaine is just full of confidence, he's getting through 80 minutes of work every week and has been better for it."
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