Newcastle Knights face Manly with a makeshift backline due to absences of Ponga, Best, Gagai, and Tuala.

Newcastle Knights will face Manly with a makeshift backline due to the absence of four regulars: Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Dane Gagai, and Enari Tuala. Ponga and Gagai will miss the State of Origin series decider, while Tuala is suffering from a calf injury. In their absence, Jackson Hastings and Greg Marzhew will lead the new-look backline, with combined top-grade experience of over 600 games.