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Knights set to light up Vegas
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Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga is looking forward to playing with Dylan Brown for the first time in Las Vegas when Newcastle open their 2026 season on February 28 against the Cowboys.
With Brown moving to Newcastle next season on a 10-year deal, it will be Ponga's first opportunity to play alongside the star Kiwis playmaker.
“It's still a little while away, but we know the talent that he has and the talent that he'll bring to our team, and hopefully he can showcase that in Round 1 in Vegas,” Ponga said. “We're looking forward to working with him.
It's on again!
It's on again!
“I think he might suit the bright lights of Las Vegas and if he can showcase his talent, we’ll be in a good position.”
Another player Ponga believes will revel in the opportunity to play in America is rookie five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe, who has been one of the shining lights for the Knights this season.
Sharpe, who is from Cessnock, has scored 18 tries in 21 NRL matches, including a hat-trick against the Rabbitohs two weeks ago.
“Sharpie's loving the bright lights at the moment, so Sharpie will definitely enjoy it in Las Vegas,” Ponga said. “He's only a small-town boy from the country, but he'll definitely love it over there.
“He's only young and he's still learning, he’s full of growth and full of excitement, and he keeps getting better and better.
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Showmen of Vegas: Fletcher Sharpe
“He's so keen to learn, so hopefully this time next year he's still growing and continuing to get better, and hopefully, as a spine, we can put on a show for everyone and play the way that we know we can.”
More than 3 million television viewers watched this year’s Vegas fixtures, including more than 400,000 in the US on FOX Sports 1, and Ponga believes audiences for the game in America will continue to grow.
“The Cowboys is a tough team so it's going to be a gritty match, no doubt, but that's the part of our game that hopefully they enjoy,” he said.
“If you compare it to the sport they have now in NFL, and union as well, I think they’ll enjoy the speed of our game, the physicality of some of the hits, some of the shots and the athleticism of the players, as well.
“Even though it's Round 1, it's a big stage, so the players will get up for that and want to perform because it is a big occasion.
“There is excitement from our boys, for sure. You know a lot of boys are just small- town country boys so this opportunity is going to be huge for them.
“The experience is going to be amazing, not only for the boys, but also for their families, and for our fans as well, which is the most exciting part.”
What you need to know about Vegas travel right now!
What you need to know about Vegas travel right now!
With the Las Vegas NHL team known as the Golden Knights, there is an obvious opportunity for a collaboration with the Newcastle Knights and Ponga said the players would be keen to get involved.
“I love the way America does sport so if there's any chance to pair up with a team or do anything like that, it would be pretty special,” he said.
“Hopefully they're a bit like us in terms of being gritty and tough, but any opportunity to pair up with an American team at any level would be awesome.”
