As the Roosters pounded the Knights goal line in the second half of the 2026 NRL grand final, two young back-rowers looked across at each other and read each other’s minds.
Francis Manuleleua, 22, in his rookie season and Jermaine McEwen, 21, into his second NRL season, are two of Newcastle’s hopes for the future.
Their work rate in all four finals was off the charts and their reputations grew with every punishing tackle or powerhouse run.
“Personally, my body was telling me ‘Stop, stop’,” Manuleleua told NRL.com.
“But seeing the boys deal with it, all those repeat efforts again and again, my mind just over-ruled and said, ‘Keep going, keep going’.
“I knew the brother next to me was struggling too so we had to lift each other up. And that’s been our motto all year – grit and determination.
“We had a lot of people really rooting for us so on that goal line - we just didn’t want to let them down or disappoint them.”
Francis Manuleleua Try
Manuleleua and McEwen are hoping that same kind of bond will be at play as both forwards hope to be named in Samoa’s World Cup squad this week ahead of their first pool game against France on October 16 at CommBank Stadium.
“It’s been an unreal season with my bro,” he said of McEwen, who debuted in Round 3 of the 2025 season and has racked up 49 NRL games.
“We’re just two young back-rowers who love to have fun and love their footy.
“I think we showed that during the season. We love going after the game and whoever we come up against we know together we can get the job done.
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“Obviously we didn’t do that against the Roosters but that’s the mindset we’ve had all year. It worked against big-name teams like the Warriors and Panthers.”
Manuleleua said once the dust had settled on the painful grand final defeat the benefits would be enormous for the club.
“It does hurt but we’ll let this feeling sink in and use it for motivation next year,” he said.
“For young guys like me it was an unreal experience. It wasn’t the result we wanted but we know what the buzz is like around finals and we know what’s needed to get to a grand final.
“Everyone doubted us, having us as a bottom-four team. Here we are one of just two teams left standing.
“We like having our backs against the walls. You tell us we can’t do it and we’ll go out there and prove the doubters wrong.
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“I’m very excited about where this Knights team can go in the next five to 10 years.”
More immediately is the chance to stand side by side with McEwen again for Samoa at the 2026 World Cup.
Both Manuleleua's parents are Samoan but he was born and raised in New Zealand so was also eligible for the Kiwis.
“I love Samoa and I love representing the people and the culture,” Manuleleua said.
“I have pledged my allegiance to Samoa so when the call came my hand was already up."
