HOLBROOK CONFIRMS: PONGA FACES LAS VEGAS OPENING ROUND DOUBT WITH INJURY
NEWCASTLE – In a devastating blow for the Newcastle Knights, head coach Justin Holbrook has just confirmed star playmaker Kalyn Ponga is in doubt for the club’s historic opening round clash in Las Vegas after sustaining an injury in a pre-season training drill.
The news comes as a major setback for the Knights, who were set to showcase their Dally M Medal winner on the global stage when they take on the Canberra Raiders at Allegiant Stadium next month. Holbrook broke the news to media on Wednesday, his expression grim as he outlined the extent of the issue.
“It’s not the news we wanted to share, especially with Las Vegas just around the corner,” Holbrook said. “Kalyn picked up an injury during a contact session today – we’re still running tests, but at this stage, he’s facing a race against time to be fit for round one.”
Ponga’s form over the past two seasons has been nothing short of exceptional. In 2023, he claimed the game’s highest individual honour – the Dally M Medal for Player of the Year – after a breathtaking campaign that saw him dominate in both fullback and halfback roles. He capped off that stellar year by winning the Danny Buderus Medal as the Knights’ Player of the Year, joining an elite group of club greats to claim both awards in the same season.
The 26-year-old continued his rich vein of form in 2024, playing 16 games for Newcastle and playing a pivotal role in helping the club secure back-to-back finals appearances – their first since 2013-14. His ability to create opportunities out of nothing, combined with his lethal finishing, has made him the cornerstone of the Knights’ attack and one of the most watchable players in the NRL.
The Las Vegas clash marks the NRL’s biggest international showcase yet, with two games set to draw a global audience of millions. The Knights had been counting on Ponga’s star power to lead their charge in the landmark match, making his potential absence all the more significant.
Holbrook refused to be drawn on the specific nature of the injury or a timeline for recovery, but insisted the club would take no risks with their prized asset. “Our priority is Kalyn’s long-term health,” he said. “Whether he’s fit for Vegas or not, we’ll make sure he’s 100% before he steps back on the field.”
Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with many hoping for a speedy recovery for the Knights’ talisman as the club prepares for their historic trip to the United States.
