Phoenix Crossland won’t miss any more time for the Newcastle Knights, with his four-match ban for that now-infamous hip-drop tackle officially ticking over through the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
The Knights hooker already missed his team’s heartbreaking 19–18 loss in the NRL grand final this month, and was facing three more rounds on the sideline in 2027.
Newcastle officials had recently applied to have the World Cup pool matches count towards Crossland’s suspension, despite the 26-year-old not making Stacey Jones’ original 23-man New Zealand squad. Newcastle’s case rested on Crossland’s availability for selection across the pool games.
The NRL approved the application, the Newcastle Herald reported this week, with New Zealand’s 24–22 loss to Australia on Thursday, 15 October, counting towards the ban. Crossland joined the Kiwis camp soon after approval came down.
That leaves Crossland with two matches to serve. He won’t be eligible to face the Cook Islands on 25 October or Fiji on 31 October, but could play a role in the semi-finals, should New Zealand qualify.
Jeremy Marshall-King is expected to keep his starting role in the Kiwi side for those two matches, and will have first crack at a semi-final spot as well. Kodi Nikorima and Erin Clark could also play in the role at a pinch.
And, of course, it means the 26-year-old rake can go into the Knights’ preseason in early 2027 knowing that he’ll be in the starting lineup from week one. He is expected to retain his starting No.9 role in the club’s next campaign.
“I apologise to Nathan and the Panthers and, more importantly, the game and the fans,” a remorseful Crossland said after receiving his four-match ban in September.
“I had to apologise and make sure he was doing all right. It was a horrific incident… I reached out to his dad as well. I apologised to him. It ruined a great game and left a sour taste in everyone’s mind,” he said during the hearing.
“He’s such a gentleman. He told me to stop saying sorry. He understood the situation, he was a class act, and he was really good about it.
“It’s been the worst couple of days of my life,” Crossland also said at the time. “He’s my favourite player by a mile, so to be the reason he’s in hospital is killing me.”
