Knights secure rising forward Francis Manuleleua; Fainu brothers’ Fiji bid rejected
The Newcastle Knights have secured the services of rookie forward Francis Manuleleua, extending his contract until the end of the 2028 season. This follows a period of strong performance for Manuleleua, who joined the club from the Penrith Panthers before last season.
Manuleleua made his NRL debut in Round 3 and has since featured in seven additional matches. He has progressed from the extended six-man interchange bench to the starting lineup. Coach Justin Holbrook praised Manuleleua’s dedication, noting his hard work in preseason training since November and throughout the season.
Holbrook highlighted Manuleleua’s natural talent, stating that his improved work ethic has been crucial in establishing him as a regular NRL player. The coach expressed satisfaction with Manuleleua’s continuous improvement, attributing it to his attention to detail. The Knights are pleased with his decision to continue his career with the team.
Peter O’Sullivan, the Knights‘ Head of Recruitment, initially scouted Manuleleua when he was 14 years old. O’Sullivan believes Manuleleua is destined for a successful career in first-grade. Teammate Kalyn Ponga also commented on Manuleleua’s potential, suggesting he “could be anything” if he maintains his hard work. Ponga added that Manuleleua’s commitment to the club is a positive development for the team.
Manuleleua’s Impact and Extension
The Knights moved quickly to secure a one-year extension for Francis Manuleleua, an exciting young second-row prospect. Although not a local junior, having come through the Panthers pathway, Manuleleua has been with the Knights as a prospect for two years.
The 22-year-old was initially expected to be gradually integrated into the lineup. However, he has already made eight appearances under coach Justin Holbrook in 2026. This increased playing time was partly due to Dylan Lucas‘s involvement in State of Origin and a subsequent ankle injury.
Manuleleua’s performance in a recent match against Brisbane stood out, where he made 31 tackles and ran 100 metres, including 46 post-contact metres, during Newcastle‘s 30-6 victory. Peter O’Sullivan reiterated his excitement about Manuleleua’s potential, stating that the extension is well-deserved given his hard work and progress since joining the club.
O’Sullivan mentioned that Manuleleua has a strong family and support network, and this extension provides him with the opportunity to solidify his position within the NRL squad. He described Manuleleua as one of the most naturally gifted players at the Knights, noting that his performances in NSW Cup and the NRL have earned him respect from both players and staff. O’Sullivan also highlighted Manuleleua’s exceptional ability to find space and his limitless potential, but emphasised that his toughness, hard work, and effort are what have garnered the most respect.
Fainu Brothers’ World Cup Bid Rejected
In other news, the Fainu brothers—Sione, Samuela, and Latu—have been unsuccessful in their attempt to represent Fiji at the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The trio, who play for the Wests Tigers, are eligible to represent both New Zealand and Tonga.
Despite their desire to represent Fiji due to their grandmother, they were unable to provide credible documents to support their application. Troy Grant, the Chairman of the International Rugby League (IRL), confirmed that while the brothers are eligible for Tonga and New Zealand, they believe they have Fijian heritage they wish to honour.
Grant stated that the IRL has no issues with their application or their genuine desire to play for Fiji, noting that they flew both the Tongan and Fijian flags during a recent heritage round. However, the IRL has strict eligibility criteria, and the brothers have been given additional time to provide the necessary credible documents to support their application.
Source: foxsports.com.au
Charlotte Reid 