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. 

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.

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.