NRL Late Mail: Finals Week 2 - Miracle man Lucas; Warriors double boost
Newcastle star Dylan Lucas is set to complete a remarkable comeback from a fractured ankle after being added to the six-man interchange bench on Saturday.
Lucas fractured his ankle in Round 21 and was given little chance of playing again this season but the NSW Blues back-rower left no stone unturned in his rehab and he was listed in the Knights' extended squad on Tuesday.
Talking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook said a final decision on Lucas' fitness would be made after Saturday's captain's run and he has now come into the squad in place of Toby Winter.
The Warriors also get a pair of stars back with Leka Halasima and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak coming into the starting side in Sunday's final team update.
Halasima was a late withdrawal from last week's clash against the Dolphins after tweaking his hamstring in the warm-up while Watene Zelezniak is making his return from a broken collarbone.
See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Week 2 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series.
NRL Late Mail: Finals Week 2
Warriors v Knights, Sunday 4.05pm (AEST), 6.05pm (local time) at Eden Park
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
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 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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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 22 Leka HalasimaCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Warriors is number 23 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback 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 Tyson Frizell
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
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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 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Knights is number 22 Dylan Lucas
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Reserve for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyReserve for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
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Reserve for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyReserve for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Warriors: Centre Leka Halasima and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak have come into the starting side in Sunday's final update. Adam Pompey and Alofiana Khan-Pereira shift to the six-man bench as a result. Morgan Gannon was named on Tuesday as Jackson Ford's replacement but dropped off the bench 90 minutes before kick-off.
Knights: No further changes on gameday after Dylan Lucas was added to the six-man interchange bench on Saturday in a massive boost for the Knights. Lucas fractured his ankle against the Roosters in Round 21 and looked to be gone for the season but he has worked diligently to get himself right.
