NRL Las Vegas 2026 LIVE updates: Cowboys hit back as Knights lose rising star to knee injury

Knights give away a penalty for a crusher tackle on Thomas Mikaele and he’s not in great shape. Fletcher Sharpe is out of the sheds and on the sideline.

But he’s also out of the game, so Sandon Smith will stay in the halves. “His knee is stable” according to Fox sideline eye Lara Pitt, so that is something. Because the way Sharpe went down, the fear was ACL.

Fletcher Sharpe leaving the field at Allegiant Stadium.Credit: Getty Images

Scans to come and Mikaele is limping off. A cannonball tackle also in play there apparently. Tyson Frizell on report, replay didn’t seem to show much there. Drinkwater also returns to the fray. All happening.

Knights 12 Cowboys 12

Here are the Cowboys, they looked disinterested the first 20. Now they’ve had a bit of ball, a bit of momentum and Sam McIntyre pulls out some magic. Last tackle, the Cowboys run it against a rushing defence.

McIntyre has a defender down low and Dom Young is dragged in off his wing. McIntyre fires a bullet flick pass out the back, Murray Taulagi reels it in with a great take and Jake Clifford converts from the sideline. We’re all tied up.

Knights 12 Cowboys 12

Fletcher Sharpe sends a serious scare through the Newcastle camp when he goes down with a knee issue, no hand laid on him. He gets checked out by the trainer and rejoins the defensive line but he’s battling.

And he’s in North Queensland’s sights. Sharpe is isolated by Tom Dearden, short ball to Heilum Luki and Sharpe and Bradman Best can only offer a couple of jumper grabs. Luki himself is back from a knee reconstruction and the Cowboys are back in the game.

Unfortunately, Sharpe is not. He succumbs to that knee issue and comes from the field. Sandon Smith is on as the utility and straight into the halves. And from the next set, Mat Croker is getting an on-field assessment quickly after heavy contact in a tackle on Griffin Neame. He’s allowed to continue for now. Fox Sports reporting that Scott Drinkwater will return.

Knights 12 Cowboys 6

Nothing going right for the Cowboys. Fullback Scott Drinkwater has walked to the sideline clutching his ribs - he does not look a happy camper at all. He and Tom Dearden hold the key to the Cowboys attack, especially down the left edge. Big development as the Knights go on the attack again. Suggestion is a rib cartilage issue and there’s hope he can return after some painkillers.

Knights 12 Cowboys 0

Kalyn Ponga doing the lion’s share of playmaking for Newcastle so far. And they’re in again. This time it’s Greg Marzhew. Dylan Brown chips a crossfield kick over to the left - comes down just outside the posts. Bradman Best wins the battle in the air, bats it down to Sharpe.

The ball is shuffled left and Marzhew just muscles his way through several defenders before getting the Steeden down out wide. Ponga converts again. Newcastle fa-lying. And from the next set, Phoenix Crossland kicks a 40-20 out of dummy-half. What is happening? What’s in the Vegas water?

Greg Marzhew celebrates his first try of 2026.Credit: Getty Images

North Queensland hang on after another threatening set. Ponga running on the last and almost busting through for a third try.

Knights 12 Cowboys 0

Horror moment for the Knights from the kick-off though, Trey Mooney with a mistake straight away. Cowboys attacking immediately. Not much on offer in that set though.

Tom Dearden has been targeted early.Credit: Getty Images

Tom Dearden swamped by defenders whenever the ball went near him and then North Queensland’s last play ends meekly with a ball dribbling along the turf. Suggestion of a dislocated finger for Phoenix Crossland as he gets some running repairs.

Knights 6 Cowboys 0

North Queensland lose their challenge early, Reed Mahoney disputed a knock-on call against him after Bradman Best made a play at the ball as he was passing. Ruling against Mahoney and it’s all Newcastle early. They’re on the attack again.

And Fletcher Sharpe is in. Plenty were surprised he was in the starting side with Sandon Smith relegated to the bench. But Sharpe has been in everything so far. And he’s racing through onto a Kalyn Ponga bomb - not too much height to it - but Sharpe was all over it. Reeled it in and Ponga adds the extras too.

Knights 6 Cowboys 0

Great first attacking set from the Knights. Fletcher Sharpe bouncing around and on the ball early. Finishes with Kalyn Ponga grubbering from close range with Sharpe in hot pursuit. Repeat set.

Saifiti pressing the line with a bullocking run. Quick hands down the right have Dom Young threatening to barge over. And then Dane Gagai does from dummy-half. Big dummy and wrestles his way over.

Referee Ashley Klein doesn’t like it. He’s sent it upstairs as no try. There’s a bobble before he gets over the line and it’s ruled a knock-on into a Cowboys defender, denying the first try.

Jason Taumalolo on the charge.Credit: Getty Images

Knights 0 Cowboys 0