2026 NRL Season Opener: Knights to Face Cowboys

The Newcastle Knights will face the North Queensland Cowboys in their 2026 NRL season-opener.

Dylan Brown is scheduled to make his first NRL appearance for the Knights, playing in the halves alongside Fletcher Sharpe.

Coach Justin Holbrook has made the decision to not include Sandon Smith in the starting lineup for the game.

For the North Queensland Cowboys, Jake Clifford will feature in the halves. The team aims to start its 2026 season with a victory.