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White Ferns LIVE from 7pmFletcher Sharpe hits the jackpot in Vegas
George Clarke, AAP •  February 24th, 2026 7:22 pm
Fletcher Sharpe has been named in the halves for Newcastle along with Dylan Brown in Vegas | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook has rolled the dice in Las Vegas, turning to Fletcher Sharpe to partner $13-million man Dylan Brown in the halves.
Holbrook, who takes charge of his first game on Sunday (AEDT) when the Knights face North Queensland in Las Vegas, appeared set to reward former Sydney Roosters five-eighth Sandon Smith with a starting halves berth.
But the former Gold Coast mentor has instead turned to homegrown product Sharpe to be Brown's partner in crime.
Coach Justin Holbrook has made his first big call at the Newcastle Knights | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
This will be the first premiership game in Brown's 10-year deal with the Knights, the ex-Parramatta playmaker set to turn out at Allegiant Stadium with the No. 7 on his back.
Sharpe will play at five-eighth while Kalyn Ponga has been named at fullback, with Smith listed as the No.14 on the interchange bench.
Former Canberra prop Trey Mooney will start in the front row in his debut for the Knights, who finished with last year's wooden spoon.
The Cowboys have turned to the experienced hand of Jake Clifford at five-eighth with coach Todd Payten resisting the urge to name Jaxon Purdue alongside Tom Dearden.
Purdue is set to start in the centres in a game in which Reed Mahoney will make his debut at hooker after his off-season move from Canterbury.
Matt Burton has been given the go ahead to play for the Bulldogs in Vegas | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Mahoney's old club, meanwhile, has given Matt Burton the green light to face St George Illawarra after the No.6 injured his hamstring in a pre-season trial match.
Burton will resume his partnership with Lachlan Galvin against a Dragons side who will hand Daniel Atkinson his club debut.
Atkinson will play halfback alongside Kyle Flanagan in a Red V team that includes the 27-year-old Setu Tu, who will make his NRL debut on the wing.
Middle forwards Hame Sele (concussion) and Josh Kerr (ankle) have both been named on the bench by Dragons coach Shane Flanagan.
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