NRL referees' boss Tony Archer has backed whistle-blower Henry Perenara after the controversial penalty that consigned Newcastle to their 18th consecutive defeat on Saturday.

Newcastle's NRL losing streak has been extended to 18, courtesy of a controversial 28-26 defeat to St George Illawarra.

The NRL will use the final round game between St George Illawarra and Newcastle and the finals of the National Youth Competition to trial a cricket-style decision review system.

It was a development that Newcastle Knights officials would have noted with interest, and perhaps even a degree of alarm.

A week after breaking James Tedesco's jaw with a swinging arm, Gold Coast prop Ryan James scored two first-half tries to help sink the Knights 26-6 at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.

Knights playmaker Jarrod Mullen has dismissed speculation the club is trying to offload him as "a load of rubbish", after a reassurance he features in coach Nathan Brown's plans.

Knights chief executive Matt Gidley has dismissed a report suggesting the club is trying to offload senior playmaker Jarrod Mullen, saying there is "no truth to it whatsoever".

After struggling all season against teams with older, more experienced players, Newcastle get a chance to play in their own age division when they take on Penrith on Sunday.

Concussion has forced Newcastle winger James McManus to retire from the NRL, effective immediately.

Newcastle's losing streak extended to a club-record 14 games when they were beaten 28-14 by Canterbury at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.

Knights warrior Jeremy Smith knows the finish line is getting nearer.

Canterbury players have wasted no time throwing shade at former teammate Trent Hodkinson, with prop Sam Kasiano saying he can't wait to make a beeline for the Newcastle halfback.

Their coach has already declared they will finish last, and most fans are expecting they will suffer a club-record 14th successive defeat at the hands of Canterbury on Saturday.

It's official. The Manly boys have got their swagger back.

It's the dubious club record Newcastle Knights players would prefer not to discuss, let alone equal or break.

Another game, another win for the Cronulla Sharks, as they notched 15 straight with an easy win over the Knights.

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan believes video referees are actively trying to find reasons not to give tries after the Sharks were controversially denied a four-pointer to Ben Barba in their big win over Newcastle yesterday.

Robbie Rochow is prepared for life in the middle. Almost the entirety of his 73 NRL games have been played on the edge. However, Rochow found a new home, pushed into the Knights' front row, in the heart-breaking 29-25 loss to Canberra.

Huddersfield have appointed Rick Stone as their new head coach. The former head coach of Newcastle in the NRL succeeds former Great Britain international Paul Anderson, who was sacked last month.