Knights Vegas Kick-Off Time Confirmed as Premiership Playmaker Backs Smith for Halves Role
One of the key questions surrounding the Newcastle Knights' upcoming NRL season has been definitively answered, while another remains a topic of intense speculation. The club's highly anticipated season opener in Las Vegas now has a confirmed kick-off time, and a premiership-winning playmaker has weighed in on who should partner star recruit Dylan Brown in the halves.
Vegas Triple Header Timeslot Revealed
Confirmation emerged on Sunday regarding the March 1 triple header in Nevada, with the Knights and North Queensland Cowboys landing the middle timeslot at Allegiant Stadium. This match will kick off at 1:15pm AEDT back in Australia, providing a prime afternoon viewing slot for local fans.
The Bulldogs versus Dragons clash will follow at 3:30pm AEDT, while an English Super League encounter between Hull KR and Leeds will open the proceedings at 11am AEDT. This scheduling sets the stage for a full day of rugby league action spanning multiple competitions.
Keary's Halves Endorsement
Luke Keary, the former NRL star and current Sydney Roosters assistant coach, has publicly backed Knights recruit Sandon Smith to partner Dylan Brown in the halves for the Vegas opener and throughout the 2026 season. Keary, who won premierships with both South Sydney and the Roosters, made his comments during a recent appearance on a Fox League NRL podcast.
"He [Smith] will be their seven," Keary stated emphatically. "You look through the roster, he's the only option. In my eyes, he's the only option."
Keary highlighted the complementary playing styles of the two halves, suggesting the partnership could take pressure off both players. "Sandon is an out-and-out seven. I think it's just perfect for both of them," he explained. "Dylan doesn't have the weight of the seven, he doesn't have Andrew Johns' jersey. He's going to be able to play exactly the way he played at Parramatta when he was in form."
Brown's Visa Clearance and Trial Plans
The Knights received positive news late last week with marquee signing Dylan Brown officially cleared for US travel after awaiting visa approval. This clearance was necessary due to court proceedings in recent years that had complicated his travel documentation.
Knights coach Justin Holbrook revealed on Thursday that Brown, along with other representative stars including Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, and Phoenix Crossland, won't feature in this Saturday's first trial match against St George Illawarra at Jubilee Oval. Instead, Holbrook confirmed that Sandon Smith and Fletcher Sharpe will start in the halves for that trial, creating what he described as a "virtual shootout" for the round one positions.
The Knights have a second trial scheduled against the Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium on February 14, with many frontline players expected to slot into the lineup before the team departs for Las Vegas the following week.
The Fletcher Sharpe Conundrum
While Keary strongly endorsed Smith for the halfback role, he acknowledged the talent of local product Fletcher Sharpe presents a selection puzzle for coach Holbrook. "The only question mark is the Fletcher Sharpe situation," Keary noted. "The talent is there, he has to play and it's just where Justin fits him into that whole puzzle."
Sharpe has returned to training after a season-ending injury in 2025, adding depth and competition to the Knights' playmaking options. His presence creates healthy competition for positions as the team prepares for their historic Las Vegas opener.
Holbrook's Roosters Connection
The connections between key figures in this story run deep. Before his appointment as Knights head coach towards the end of last season, Holbrook served as one of Trent Robinson's assistants at the Sydney Roosters. During the 2024 season, he worked directly with both Luke Keary and Sandon Smith, giving him firsthand knowledge of their abilities and playing styles.
Keary wrapped up his professional playing career after a stint with Catalans in 2025, having established himself as one of the NRL's most accomplished playmakers with premierships at two clubs and representative honors for NSW, Australia, and Ireland.
As the Knights continue their preparations for the 2026 season, the combination of confirmed Vegas scheduling and expert endorsement of their halves pairing provides clarity and excitement for fans anticipating their campaign opener on American soil.
