Knights star cops huge ban, season over after horror tackle
Updated . First published
Jacob Saifiti will not return to the field this season after the Knights prop was hit with a four-game ban for a horror incident on Sunday.
Newcastle has a bye this week and then need to win three straight games to qualify for a grand final. Unless the Knights fight the charge and win, Saifiti’s season is over.
Jacob Saifiti’s tackle on Luke Laulilii. Fox League
Saifiti flew out of the line and collected Warriors player Luke Laulilii with a sickening high shot that left the young Warriors winger out cold on the turf.
On-field referee Adam Gee sent the veteran front-rower off.
“It was so reckless and Jacob should know better than that. Not even close to a sin bin, that’s a send off every day of the week,” Greg Alexander said at half time.
The NRL deemed it to be a grade two reckless high tackle.
He can challenge the ban at the judiciary if he wishes but risks a five-game ban if found guilty.
Newcastle had taken an early lead at Go Media Stadium prior to the send off and extended it to 16-0 when Jermaine McEwen raced through a hole to score.
As expected, the match was turned on its head after Saifiti was marched and the Warriors levelled the scores in rather quick fashion.
Erin Clark barged over from close range, continuing his stellar season.
“He’s one of the best signings in this club’s history,” Ennis said.
Demitric Vaimuaga put the Wahs ahead before the break as the one-way traffic continued in front of the Auckland faithful.
To make matters worse for the Knights, rookie forward Francis Manuleleua – who scored his side’s second try and has been in brilliant form – left the field with an arm injury and was spotted administering the green whistle for pain.
“That is such a shame,” Ennis said on commentary.
Adam Pompey put the home side ahead by more than two converted tries in the second half and it looked like the Wahs were going to run away with it.
But back-to-back tries from Greg Marzhew, who will leave Taine Tuaupiki with a few nightmares, put the Knights right back in the contest.
Greg Marzhew crosses for a try. Getty
Marzhew streaked down the left sideline and kicked the ball into Tuaupiki’s head, regathering the ricochet to score, before trampling over the pint-sized Warriors fullback moments later with another rampaging solo try.
Newcastle’s hopes of a comeback were erased when Alofi Khan-Pereira and Jacob Laban dashed over to score and put the Warriors on top of the ladder.
Speaking post-game, Knights coach Justin Holbrook admitted he was “proud” of the effort shown by his side in difficult circumstances.
“We had a player sent off early and that made it very hard,” he said.
“I’m really proud of what we had to deal with, there was a lot of chaos out there and disruption. We worked hard for the 80 and now we’ve got a week off.”
Holbrook also confirmed Manulelua suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Jett Cleary, making his NRL debut with his parents and brother Nathan watching in the crowd, finished with three try assists in a quality jump to first grade.
“He has been superb on debut,” Ennis said of the young playmaker.
Newcastle will have the bye in round 27, while the Warriors face the Sea Eagles.
