The Knights co-captain has suffered four concussions in 10 months.
There's no love lost between the former league stars-turned boxers.
It means players are guaranteed to miss the following weekend's match, and potentially a second game depending on turnaround times.
The topic of a Pride Round remains a difficult one for the league, after seven Manly players boycotted the club's Rainbow jersey last year.
Jamayne Isaako has credited being coached by Wayne Bennett again for his superb start to the 2023 NRL season.
Newcastle great Matthew Johns believes Ponga should return to fullback after the Knights star suffered his fourth concussion in 10 months.
South Sydney intend to file a police report after a teenage NRL fan allegedly racially abused fullback Latrell Mitchell at halftime of the Rabbitohs' loss to Penrith.
After a first-up win at home over the Knights, the Warriors are on the road and looking to take two of last season's best clubs.
Newcastle have railed against a late concussion test on Kalyn Ponga which sidelined the superstar for the final 10 minutes of their round one loss to the Warriors.
Harry Grant darted over from dummy-half in the fourth minute of extra time to keep Melbourne's incredible round-one record under Craig Bellamy alive.
New coach Andrew Webster says the club bears little resemblance to the one he left six years ago, insisting it is now filled with winners.
The Warriors are preparing for their first home campaign since 2020, and hopes the return to New Zealand shores will give them a fresh start.
Captain Tohu Harris said he can't fathom what the Luke family are going through but hopes his side can ease their pain - and that of many other Kiwis - with a strong game tomorrow.
A final quarter Selwyn Cobbo hat-trick settled the NRL All Stars contest as the Indigenous side ran over the top of the Māori team 28-24 in Rotorua.
The West Tigers are in NZ for a trial game against the Warriors this week but will be back later in the year to thank them for their selfless acts during the Covid pandemic.
Two years on from winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens, Gayle Broughton is wearing another special New Zealand jersey although this one is green and white.
The 33-year-old New Zealand skipper and former co-captain of Melbourne was officially announced in the role at the Dolphins season launch in Brisbane on Friday night.
Players feel their concerns and suggestions are not being heard by rugby league bosses and it's now impacting their lives away from the sport.
Jazz Tevaga has pledged to donate $10 for every tackle he makes, $1 for every metre gained and $500 for every try he scores to help Roman Tuhimata.
The Mate Ma'a Tonga international was off contract at the end of 2023, the final year of his deal since joining the Warriors from the Super League.