Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has declared his confidence in being ready for the NRL's season-opening Las Vegas spectacle, as he continues a careful rehabilitation from a persistent foot problem.
Road to Recovery After Bone Bruising Setback
The star fullback has endured a frustrating pre-season, spending several weeks before Christmas in a protective moon boot. The issue stems from the Lisfranc injury Ponga suffered in round 17 last season against Canberra, which required surgery and ended his 2025 campaign prematurely.
Ponga returned to training in November but was quickly restricted after scans revealed "bone bruising" in his left foot. The Knights have since taken an ultra-cautious approach with their marquee man, limiting his workload to ensure the injury does not escalate.
"The foot is good," Ponga said at a club training day. "I'm ticking boxes. I feel pretty good, the foot feels pretty good. Things are rolling along pretty well which is exciting. I'm just keen to get out there."
Targeting Vegas and a Potential Pre-Season Hit-Out
Ponga stated he is "very" confident of playing in Newcastle's round one clash against his former club, the North Queensland Cowboys, in Las Vegas on March 1. Prior to that, the Knights have two trial matches, and Ponga is hopeful of getting some game time.
"I am hopeful [of playing in a trial]," he said. "I think so, the way the rehab is coming along ... definitely."
Newcastle's second trial against the Bulldogs on February 14 coincides with the NRL All Stars match in New Zealand. Ponga, a past Maori All Stars representative, remained non-committal on which fixture he might target if fit. "I haven't really thought about that, to be honest," he said. "I'll have to talk about it with my team to see where I am at."
Knights' Cautious Approach Under New Coach
The extended recovery has been a challenge for Ponga, particularly with a new coach in Justin Holbrook and star recruit Dylan Brown settling into the squad. Holbrook explained the rationale behind the careful management of his captain's fitness.
"When he came back and running, they noticed, they got a scan and a bit of bone bruising there," Holbrook said. "If you keep running on that it can lead to something worse or a fracture. That's why we took the precautionary approach ... I'd much rather play it safe now."
This is the second consecutive year Ponga has battled a Lisfranc injury. In 2024, he injured his right foot, had surgery, and returned after missing eight games, eventually helping the Knights to an elimination final. The club and its fans will be hoping for a similar successful return this time, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 wooden spoon.
