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'We’re not scared to lose': Knights head to Eden Park with no fear
Jaxin Daniels • September 17th, 2026 8:55 am
Phoenix Crossland in the Newcastle Knights' 2023 NRL Elimination Final matchup against the Warriors | Photo: Aaron Gillions/Photosport
Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland says his side will embrace its fearless style when it faces the NZ Warriors in a do-or-die finals clash at Eden Park.
The Knights have completed a dramatic turnaround after winning the wooden spoon last season and are now one victory away from a preliminary final.
Crossland believes Newcastle’s young squad will not be overawed by the occasion or the expected 50,000-strong Warriors crowd.
“I think as a team we're not scared to lose,” Crossland told Sport Nation's Millsy and Guy.
“We are not scared to lose playing our style of footy. If we're going to go down, we're gonna go down swinging and there's no fear in our team.”
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The Knights take confidence from their previous meeting with the Warriors, when they played majority of the game down a player but still scored 32 points.
“We played 60 minutes with 12 men, which is a tough challenge, especially against the Warriors in a hostile environment over there,” Crossland said.
“But I'm very proud that we could score 32 points with 12 players.
"Hopefully we can score a few more when we have a full team this week."
Crossland knows the home crowd could play a major role, particularly if the Warriors start quickly.
“If they get a sniff early in front of 50,000 of their fans, it's going to be tough to wrestle it back,” he said.
“Our start is going to be pretty vital for our performance.”
Phoenix Crossland playing for the Kiwis | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
The Knights will also need to stand up to the Warriors’ powerful middle, with Crossland identifying James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett and Erin Clark as key threats.
“I think the game will be won or lost in that middle third of the field,” he said.
“Our defence is going to have to be spot on and our wrestle in our tackle is going to have be pretty good to handle those three because they're probably the best forward pack in the comp at the moment."
Newcastle’s young halves have also stepped up following Dylan Brown’s season-ending injury, with Sandon Smith and Fletcher Sharpe taking on greater responsibility alongside Kalyn Ponga.
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“We're not probably relying on Kalyn as much as previous years and it's sort of bringing the best out of Kalyn to just sort of pick his moments,” Crossland said.
“Then Sandon with his kicking game and controlling the team with me and then Sharpey speaks for himself.”
Crossland also praised New Zealand-born forward Francis Manuleleua, who has earned a bigger role through his improved preparation and work ethic.
“He's trained extremely hard, he's looked after himself away from the field with his diet and his body and he's getting rewarded for it,” Crossland said.
Francis Manuleleua is among Newcastle's young guns to have stepped up for the finals | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
He also praises his head coach Justin Holbrook on the environment he's built where the Knights can play with freedom while remaining focused when it matters.
“It's just a bit more of a, not relaxed energy, but just a little bit more of a we're here to have fun energy, and that's when you get the best out of your team,” Crossland said.
“His energy, he loves a joke, but as soon as you cross the white line, we're there to win.”
Crossland has also returned from knee surgery and says his body is holding up after playing 80 minutes last week.
“I'm feeling good,” he said.
“My body's holding up alright.”
Now, the Knights are heading the biggest game of their season with confidence in their style and no intention of playing safe.
“We're too young to be scared,” Crossland said.
“These young boys they don't care if they make mistakes because they just go after games.”
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the NRL semi-final matchup between the Warriors and Knights from 5pm Sunday.
Listen to the full interview:
