nib Newcastle Knights NRL Head Coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed his squad for today's historic opening round clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Cody Hopwood comes out of the side this week.
Mat Croker comes into the run-on side at lock, with Tyson Frizell moving to the bench.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged.
Originally published Tuesday, February 24, 2026:
nib Newcastle Knights NRL Head Coach Justin Holbrook has named a 22-man squad for Sunday afternoon's historic opening round clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Brown have been given the nod as the side's six and seven, with Sandon Smith set to start in the No.14 jersey off the bench.
Brown (#365), Smith (#367) and fellow new recruit Trey Mooney (#366) will make their official Club debuts, while Kalyn Ponga has been confirmed to return in the No.1 jersey and will lead the side onto the field for their first ever game in the United States.
See the squad below:
Match: Knights v Cowboys
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre
-
Lock for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 13 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kai O'Donnell
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas CantInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Griffin Neame
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Pasami SauloInterchange for Cowboys is number 21 Matthew Lodge
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 18 Fletcher HuntReserve for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Francis ManuleleuaReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert Derby
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The nib Newcastle Knights would like to thank our proud Club 17 partners for bringing you this week's team list:
| Jersey 1 presented by: | Honeywell Capital |
| Jersey 2 presented by: | Palmerbet |
| Jersey 3 presented by: | East Coast Building & Pest |
| Jersey 4 presented by: | Hunter Imaging |
| Jersey 5 presented by: | Hunter City Motor Group |
| Jersey 6 presented by: | Greg Tapp Printing |
| Jersey 7 presented by: | Etch Couriers |
| Jersey 8 presented by: | Wests |
| Jersey 9 presented by: | Sydney Direct Fresh Produce |
| Jersey 10 presented by: | Newcastle Airport |
| Jersey 11 presented by: | Caltex |
| Jersey 12 presented by: | Bella Group Services |
| Jersey 13 presented by: | NBN News |
| Jersey 14 presented by: | The Anchorage |
| Jersey 15 presented by: | The Executive Inn |
| Jersey 16 presented by: | Guardian Safety Solutions |
| Jersey 17 presented by: | Balance Collective |
