Justin Holbrook is looking forward to welcoming back a host of stars including recently re-signed skipper Kalyn Ponga after his side were outclassed by the Panthers 44-12 in Round 8.

Holbrook was disappointed with his side’s errors, which gifted the Panthers too much ball and Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards made them pay in an eight tries to two rout.

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“That was a tough one,” Holbrook said.

“We fixed up the one area we didn’t do well last week. That was yardage D and really our line speed. We did a massive improvement there.

“But just our ability to apply any sort of pressure. We’re playing some quality sides at the moment, and we just had too many errors on early tackles and just made it too hard a day.”

Despite the heavy defeat Holbrook was proud of his team’s effort, but conceded he needs to get some experience back in the team to match the top sides.

“The effort was fine, it’s the understanding of how to play the game,and individuals have got to play at their best at the moment,” Holbrook said.

“We obviously know we’ve got some troops missing, and we need to all be at our best, and we’re not there.

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Justin Holbrook and Phoenix Crossland.Source: FOX SPORTS

“We weren’t there today, but from a coaching point of view, the boys they tried so hard.

“But against the class of what we’re playing, you can’t give them that many opportunities, and fumble away, we just made way too many rookie errors if you want to use that word.

“And the positives is that lots of guys are getting plenty of games and obviously need a rest. We’ve got some senior guys out there that are running themselves into the ground, and we’re patching them up, they get out there, and then we’re relying on the youth and they’re playing week in, week out, and it’s tough in this competition.

“So we’re getting some tough lessons, but we’ll be better for it as the weeks go on.”

Not only was Holbrook happy Ponga will be at the club until 2030 at least, he is hoping to have him and a host of other stars back on deck next week against Souths.

“Very encouraging for everyone involved in our club,” Holbrook said of Ponga’s re-signing.

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“We saw what we were capable of those first couple of games of the year, when you’re lucky you’re at full strength and that’s what we’re gonna base it off.

“We’re doing it tough at the moment, but to get him back on the field and a host of others is exactly what we need.

“Not making excuses. We didn’t play good enough today and we played a classy opposition, so we’re going into games confident of winning it, but if we’re not gonna play at our best, then we’re not gonna get the results.

“So a lot of tough lessons for a lot of guys, but a lot of young guys playing plenty of minutes at NRL level, so we’ll be better in the long run, but not today.”

Knights skipper Phoenix Crossland was excited to have Ponga commit his long-term future to the club for the next four years.

“He’s massive for the club, massive for the team,” Crossland said.

“First and foremost, Kalyn is one of my best mates, so to see him here for another three years is outstanding.

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“He’s our captain. He leads this club and it’s good that he’s here for another three years, it’s really exciting.”

Holbrook is hoping to have Ponga, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew back next week as well as Tyson Frizell.

“We just gotta have another good week and we’ve got to get on with it,” Holbrook said.

“From the left edge that played in Round 1 we didn’t have anyone in that position today, so we’re confident maybe having them all back next week.

“It makes a huge difference for four players all alongside each other to play together, get used to each other and get the combinations, which we worked hard in pre-season to mix guys around, so they would be OK with it.

“But it’s hard when you’re playing good sides and then you’re not hanging onto the ball yourselves. It’s very hard to trouble them.”

However Holbrook wouldn’t be drawn on who in the spine will miss out when Ponga returns.

“I’ll work that out next week because you learn quickly, you can’t get ahead of yourself and you never know who’s in and who’s out, so we’ll get to sit down and hopefully Tuesday we have the luxury of making a choice, so that’ll be great and I’d love to do that,” Holbrook said.