Newcastle Knights coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed injured star Dylan Lucas will be a surprise inclusion in the club's 22-man squad for their sudden-death road trip to Auckland.
Lucas suffered a nasty ankle fracture and dislocation during Round 21, and marks a mere 59 days since he underwent surgery.
The Albion Park junior was bent awkwardly in a tackle and showed immediate distress before being quickly aided off the field with the help of the green whistle on a stretcher.
2026 marked his breakout year on the edge under Holbrook, earning a call-up for the NSW Blues in the State of Origin series and averaging over 120 metres per game before his injury.
Holbrook confirmed he will be named on the extended team list, but a lot of things will have to go right later in the week for Lucas to get onto the plane across the Tasman.
"We'll name it tomorrow, and we will name him in our 22. Will he get to the field on Sunday? I'm not too sure yet," Holbrook said on Channel 7's Agenda Setters: Rugby League.
"A lot of things are going to happen this week for him to get there, but I'll name him in our 22, and we won't know until later in the week."
With Lucas' looming inclusion brings another challenge for Holbrook: dethroning one of his other star back rowers who have been outstanding during the year.
Franic Manuleleua and Jermaine McEwen have both been dominant in the Hunter during 2026, with Holbrook mounting plenty of praise on the young backrower duo during their first series.
"Both back rowers, I think they've been exceptional for us," he added.
"It's going to be a much bigger challenge this week against the Warriors, but it's become one way to defend it.
"Obviously, until Lucas gets here, he's not going to be able to start. We would just hope that if he does get there, he'll be on the bench.
"As I said, we won't know until later in the week. I'm really happy with Francis and Jermaine and how well they've played."
The Knights put South Sydney to the sword in Week 1 of the finals to progress to the semis.
They will meet the New Zealand Warriors at Auckland's premier stadium, Eden Park, which is expected to bring a record crowd for a Warriors match.
The sudden-death final kicks off at 4:05pm (AEST).
