Final Team | Round 26
nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed his squad for this afternoon's final regular season clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium.
Kyle McCarthy comes out of the side this week.
The remainder of the team is unchanged.
Originally published Tuesday, August 25, 2026:
nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook has named his 22-man squad for Sunday afternoon's final regular season clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium.
In a massive boost just one game out from the finals series, both Dane Gagai and Francis Manuleleua have been named to make their returns after missing last week's clash with Manly.
Gagai's return sees Fletcher Hunt shifted to the wing, replacing the suspended Dominic Young.
Young joins Tyson Frizell on the sidelines, who also picked up a one match ban in the clash with Manly. Manuleleua will take Frizell's place in the back row.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Crossland has been ruled out of the clash after undergoing surgery to remove meniscus in his knee. He will be fit to play in week one of the finals.
Harrison Graham will start at hooker in his place, with Diesel Hagan coming onto the six-man bench.
See the squad below:
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 26 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Luke LauliliiWinger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher Hunt
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Leka HalasimaCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 22 Luke HansonFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Warriors is number 23 Jett ClearyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 9 Harrison Graham
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Knights is number 14 Thomas Cant
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Cody Hopwood
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Lachlan Crouch
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Adam PompeyInterchange for Knights is number 17 Pasami Saulo
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Replacement for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
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Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Makaia TafuaReserve for Knights is number 18 Toby Winter
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Diesel Hagan
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The nib Newcastle Knights would like to thank our proud Club 17 partners for bringing you this week's team list:
| Jersey 1 presented by: | Honeywell Capital |
| Jersey 2 presented by: | Palmerbet |
| Jersey 3 presented by: | East Coast Building & Pest Services |
| Jersey 4 presented by: | Hunter Imaging |
| Jersey 5 presented by: | Hunter City Motor Group |
| Jersey 6 presented by: | Greg Tapp Printing |
| Jersey 7 presented by: | Etch Couriers |
| Jersey 8 presented by: | Prime Edge Caravans |
| Jersey 9 presented by: | NEX |
| Jersey 10 presented by: | Newcastle Airport |
| Jersey 11 presented by: | Caltex |
| Jersey 12 presented by: | Bella Group Services |
| Jersey 13 presented by: | NBN News |
| Jersey 14 presented by: | Reward Hospitality |
| Jersey 15 presented by: | The Executive Inn |
| Jersey 16 presented by: | Guardian Safety Solutions |
| Jersey 17 presented by: | Balance Collective |
