The Newcastle Knights have officially confirmed the contract extension of their talented back rower, Francis Manuleleua, who will now be part of the team until the conclusion of the 2028 season.
This year, Manuleleua has made a significant impact, showcasing his skills in eight first-grade matches after making his NRL debut in Round 3.
Scouts for the Knights recognized his potential at the young age of 14, marking him as a future star for the club.
Coach Justin Holbrook commended Manuleleua's dedication, stating that his hard work has paved the way for his opportunities at the elite level.
"Francis has always been an exciting young player; what has impressed me the most is how hard he has worked, both in preseason training since November and throughout the season," Holbrook noted in a statement from the Knights.
"He has always had the talent; what was lacking was the work ethic. To his credit, Francis has turned that around to get himself into a position to play NRL and become a regular NRL player.
"From a coaching point of view, you want to see how much a player progresses; Francis' attention to detail has ensured he has continued to improve every week."
"We are thrilled he has decided to continue his career with us at the Knights."