Vegas Combine Winner Marcus D'Acre Returns to US with Newcastle Knights
Marcus D'Acre, the 2025 Las Vegas combine winner, is set to return to the United States later this month as part of the Newcastle Knights' travelling squad for the NRL season-opening fixtures at Allegiant Stadium on March 1. The Canadian-born athlete, who is midway through a two-year deal with the Knights, will join the team in an ambassador role as the 23rd player.
Ambassador Role and Team Dynamics
Knights director of football Chris James confirmed to the Newcastle Herald that D'Acre will not be named on the team sheet for the games but will train with the squad and engage in public relations activities. "You have to name 22 [players] on any normal game week, so we'll take the 22 that we will name that week in round one," James explained. "And then we're also taking, as the 23rd player, Marcus D'Acre who was the player we signed out of the combine [in 2025]."
James highlighted D'Acre's journey, noting his pathway from the combine to securing an NRL contract. "So Marcus is coming with us as the extra player. He won't get named on the team sheet, but he will train with the team and he'll do a lot of PR over there. His pathway from the combine through to an NRL contract."
Background and Performance
D'Acre, who previously represented Canada and Hong Kong in international rugby union, switched codes to join the Knights last year on a train-and-trial contract reportedly worth $1200 per week. After emerging from the Vegas combine, he primarily played on the wing in the Jersey Flegg Cup under-21 competition, scoring back-to-back try-scoring doubles in rounds 13 and 14.
James praised D'Acre's attributes and transition to rugby league. "Wonderful young man [D'Acre]. Quite a big body, really tall and very athletic," he said. "Has played rugby so the transition to league has been quite easy, picked the game up really well." The plan for 2026 is for D'Acre to play a full season in the NSW Cup, building on his one appearance in that competition last year.
Knights' Preparations for Las Vegas
Newcastle players vying for the 22 frontline positions in Las Vegas will have opportunities in upcoming NRL trial matches. The Knights face the Dragons on Saturday and host the Bulldogs a week later, before departing for Nevada on February 20. James, who gained experience during the NRL's inaugural Vegas expedition in 2024 with the Roosters, emphasized the importance of finalizing the squad.
"Luckily I got to do it year one with the Roosters so I had an advantage," James noted. "As soon as we [Knights] were selected as one of the teams I started the planning straight away. So our week has been locked and loaded since probably late November, we've been sorted for a while now."
He added that the final squad selection is the "last piece of the puzzle," with decisions to be made after the second trial. "Because you're only taking so few we won't be able to work out who those guys are until after the second trial. They've all got to be fit and able to play. We play on the Saturday night [February 14] at McDonald Jones Stadium against the Bulldogs, Sunday we'll be able to confirm the playing squad."
Additional Vegas Activities and Team Updates
James recently revealed that the Knights will attend a live show, train at the UFC centre, and utilize security linked with an NFL franchise during their maiden Vegas trip. In other team news, the NRL announced US timeslots, with Newcastle's match against North Queensland scheduled for 1:15pm AEDT as part of a three-game program.
Meanwhile, Knights mentor Justin Holbrook confirmed that captain Kalyn Ponga will skip both trials to extend his recovery from a Lisfranc injury but assured fans he will be ready for round one. Additionally, premiership-winning playmaker Luke Keary, now an assistant coach at the Roosters, commented on potential halves partnerships for the Knights in 2026.
The Knights' second trial coincides with the annual All Stars fixture, with the Maori v Indigenous match in New Zealand on February 15 occurring less than 24 hours after the Bulldogs visit McDonald Jones Stadium.
