Knights fans feared they’d signed a $13m dud. Dylan Brown’s Test form put that to rest, says coach
That’s when the trainer will start creating a new-looking spine. As well as Brown, the Knights have also signed Sandon Smith from the Sydney Roosters to complement incumbents Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe and Phoenix Crossland.
“We need to figure this out,” Holbrook said. “Obviously the thing that’s been talked about a lot here is the spine and where everyone is playing. But to be honest I’ve got to get everyone back to training. I’m excited to get them all involved.”
Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe.Credit: Getty Images
“There’s no doubt they’ll all adjust… It’ll take a few weeks to get them all back, but we’ll get them all sorted out in time.”
Sharpe, a 21-year-old utility player, has restarted training after suffering a ruptured kidney that limited him to just 14 games last season.
He is expected to partner Brown in the halves next season and is excited about what the Kiwi international can offer the wooden spooners.
“He’s a classy player, someone who can create a lot out of nothing, which is exciting,” Sharpe said.
Justin Holbrook’s debut with the Knights has begun.Credit: NRL Pictures
“It’s always good to work with world-class players like that. He’s doing his best for New Zealand there. So it’s even more exciting for him to come back. I’ll work with him and see how we can come together.”
Despite speculation last season that Ponga was undecided on a move to Newcastle and was considering the option of playing rugby abroad, Holbrook said he had no plans to strip the 2023 Dally M medalist of his captaincy.
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“I didn’t think of it differently,” he said. “He’ll be captain. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t.”
Ponga missed the final 10 games of 2025 due to a foot injury that required surgery, but like all of Newcastle’s senior players he has been training in the off-season.
Holbrook was confident that Newcastle’s renewed backbone could provide the team with multiple attacking options rather than relying too heavily on Ponga.
“Kalyn is absolutely front and center on this football team,” he said. “We have a couple of key guys we talked about this morning.
“This will take a lot of pressure off him and that’s what’s needed. There’s too much pressure on one person and there’s no need for that. It’s a team game.”
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