Kalyn Ponga says he’s “confident” of returning to fitness in time for the Knights’ historic NRL showdown against North Queensland in Las Vegas. The Newcastle skipper suffered a Lisfranc foot injury in round 17 that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025 season as Newcastle lost their last eight games to claim the wooden spoon.
But Ponga has recently removed the protective moon boot he’d been wearing for months and says he’s “comfortable” with where his recovery is at. The 27-year-old has resumed light running duties but is yet to make his full return to pre-season training with the Newcastle squad ahead of the club’s first game in the United States on March 1 (Aussie time).
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has provided an encouraging update on his injury recovery and prospects of playing in the NRL season opener in Las Vegas. Pic: Getty
“The foot feels pretty good, things are rolling along well which is exciting and I’m keen to get back out there,” Ponga told media at a Knights club day this week. “I think we did the right thing by backing off a little bit, we’d rather get it right now than have more troubles during the season and miss games.”
Ponga and the Knights are taking a deliberately cautious approach to the return from his latest foot injury. But the Newcastle captain is desperate to play in Vegas and believes he’s on track to return to action for a pre-season trial game before the squad flies out to the USA in late February.
Kalyn Ponga confident of playing in Vegas for Knights
“I’ve still got eight weeks until Vegas and every day I will do my best to tick every box and try to tick a few more,” he said. “I’m very comfortable with where I’m at, I’m very confident of taking the field in Vegas, I’m doing everything I can to get it right…
“(I was doing) a lot of upper body weights and upper body conditioning (in the moon boot), but I’m running now and trying to get as fit as I can—I’m definitely happy I’m out of the boot. The way the rehab is coming along I am definitely hopeful of playing in a trial game (before Vegas).”
Kalyn Ponga is confident of returning from injury in time for a pre-season trial before the Knights fly to Vegas to take on the Cowboys to start the NRL season. Pic: Getty
The news will come as music to the ears of Newcastle fans, who already have cause to be optimistic ahead of the new season. The Knights have appointed Justin Holbrook as their new head coach and have brought in a number of key recruits, including mega-money signing Dylan Brown from the Eels.
Brown claimed three-straight man of the match awards to help New Zealand win the Pacific Championship title last year. And while Ponga hasn’t been able to work on his combinations with Brown as yet, he loves what he’s seen from the playmaker in pre-season so far.
“Yeah I haven’t been out on the field which is unfortunate but the conversations we’re having, watching video on him has been quite enjoyable. He’s class, you can tell he’s a classy player and you can see why we’ve signed him and why he’s here and I’m excited to work with him for sure.”