The Mt Smart Stadium clash would have been Gidley's third game in nine days. Smith made the decision after the 27-year-old was cleared of swine flu following a quarantine period with NSW winger James McManus.

Gidley will be replaced by Shannon McDonnell who recently signed from the Wests Tigers.

Knights chief executive Steve Burraston said the State of Origin pair's period in isolation was due to end yesterday. ''They're fine, there's nothing wrong with them,'' Burraston said. ''We had to quarantine them just to make sure they didn't develop any symptoms.''

Newcastle trainer Robbie Auburn, who was also in quarantine, had also shown no signs of illness.

The Knights face the Warriors in Auckland and home skipper and Queensland prop Steve Price is scheduled to rejoin his teammates today. Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said head trainer Craig Walker, who was part of the NSW coaching staff, was back at work yesterday after his period of quarantine. NZPA