Newcastle Knights receive boost with Phoenix Crossland return

NRL Newcastle Knights Phoenix Crossland elimination final rugby league

The Newcastle Knights will receive a significant boost for their NRL Week 1 elimination final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs with the return of hooker Phoenix Crossland. Crossland, who recently won the Danny Buderus Medal as the Knights' player of the season, returns to the lineup less than two weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Coach Justin Holbrook expressed confidence in the squad despite a season marked by injury adversity, including the loss of Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas. In addition to Crossland, the Knights welcome back second-rower Francis Manuleleua, veteran Tyson Frizell, and Dominic Young for the sudden-death showdown at Allianz Stadium.

The match follows a successful turnaround for the Knights, who moved from 17th place in 2025 to 7th in 2026 under Holbrook's leadership.

Entities

Francis Manuleleua · Justin Holbrook · Newcastle Knights · South Sydney Rabbitohs

Sources

'Sharkies through and through': Future Cowboys out to beat future teammates [www.theleader.com.au]

about 16 hours ago

Rabbitohs rocked by brutal Knights, but were they robbed by the bunker? [www.sportingnews.com]

1 day ago

‘We need him back and we’ve got him back’: Holbrook confident of Rabbitohs upset as Knights star returns [www.sportingnews.com]

1 day ago

Crossland's return a major boost for Knights' elimination showdown [newcastleweekly.com.au]

3 days ago

Future Cowboys out to end North Queensland’s finals [theqldr.com.au]

about 20 hours ago