Phoenix rising: Knights' unsung hero catches Kiwi eyes

After beginning the year as a stand-in halfback, reborn Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland has emerged as a potential bolter for New Zealand.

The 23-year-old was once touted as a playmaker of the future but has found his calling as a No.9 since Knights co-captain Jayden Brailey was sidelined with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury in April.

Crossland looks every bit a bona fide No.9, scoring six tries and setting up a further half-dozen across a 24-game campaign for Newcastle, who face the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday in an NRL semi-final.

The Newcastle hooker clocked up 60 tackles in last week’s elimination final win over Canberra, who boast New Zealand's head coach Michael Maguire on their coaching staff.

Crossland is firmly on Maguire’s radar, and with Jeremy Marshall-King out of the Kiwis' Pacific Championships campaign with a shoulder injury, the Wellington-born No.9 could find himself competing with Brandon Smith for the national team jersey.

“I’m eligible to play for (New Zealand), but I haven’t had a call off (Maguire),” Crossland told AAP.

“I’d love to get a call but that’s up to him and his assistant coaches.

“Playing for the Kiwis would be sick.

“(Newcastle) have got a team of 17 blokes who could definitely be playing rep footy and even to be involved in the discussion is really cool.”

Crossland says he has leaned on the wisdom of Brailey, Knights legend Danny Buderus and assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn in his bid to excel at hooker.

While he’s now 59 games into an NRL career, Crossland has been known to suffer from a bout of nerves.

“It's just butterflies. I don't know if I get it a bit more (than other players), or maybe I just showcase it more,” Crossland said.

“I struggle to breathe a bit and I hear the crowd very loud.

“I find Brails really funny, so we have a bit of a laugh and he laughs at me when I tell him about my nerves, he sort of says, 'You don't need to be'.

“To hear someone who's played as much footy as him say that means a lot to me.

“I take a lot of confidence from the words he says before a game.

“It's not a bad thing at all. I'm sort of glad I get nervous because it means I care.”

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store