LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Concerns are mounting as the Newcastle Knights' captain, Kalyn Ponga, continues to wear a protective moon boot nearly six months after his serious foot injury. The team, coming off a disappointing wooden spoon finish in 2025, needs Ponga fit to improve their prospects.
Despite worries from Knights fans about his prolonged use of the boot, Ponga is optimistic about his readiness for the upcoming historic season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas. On Saturday, he observed new marquee signing Dylan Brown training with his teammates for the first time, while he remained sidelined.
Coach Justin Holbrook is now awaiting the post-Christmas and New Year period to begin developing what is anticipated to be one of the NRL's most prominent attacking teams.
Ponga sustained a ruptured Lisfranc ligament in his left foot last July, which necessitated surgery. Addressing reporters after an open training session, Ponga reassured everyone that his recovery is on track, despite still being in the moon boot. He stated, "It's going good," as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.