In a wide-ranging interview ahead of the Knights' final trial against the Storm on Sunday, Saifiti told the Newcastle Herald how he still plans to be a leader, of his desire to wear a Kangaroos jersey at the World Cup and why he thinks twin brother, Jacob, should be playing Origin.

Saifiti, despite being a co-captain with Jayden Brailey last season, isn't involved in the Knights' leadership this year, with Kalyn Ponga taking on the role and Brailey becoming a club captain.

Saifiti, 25, said it was as much his decision as it was of the coach Adam O'Brien.

"I spoke to 'Adsy' about it and, while it was a massive honour doing it, I wouldn't say it wasn't for me but it probably suited other guys a bit more than me," Saifiti said.

"I was going into games thinking about the pre-game speeches rather than doing my job.

"I was probably thinking about things I normally wouldn't have and I went away from things that put me in that position to get there.

"I still think I had a decent year, not a bad year but I know I had a lot more in me."

Putting the team ahead of any personal pride by relinquishing the role, Saifiti said he was more than okay with stepping back and fully supported new captain Ponga and club captain Brailey.

"They're just natural leaders," Saifiti said. "The team doesn't need me as captain, they need me at my best.

"Having it last year took away from that. It's less weight on my shoulders.

"I was hugely grateful for the opportunity to lead out such a proud one-town team, but the two guys they've got now are going to do such a good job. They're young, they're going to lead our club for years to come and I've always thought you don't need the 'C' next to your name to lead the team, and there's a few of us that do that."

Saifiti, who has played 119 games and seven Origins, plans to lift his game in his seventh NRL season.

"There's areas around those one per centers I can get better at, things I've looked at defensively and more team effort stuff that I can improve on, stuff that Jacob is really good at," he said.

"I haven't been playing bad ... but I've definitely got another level in me."

Jacob joined Saifiti in the starting front row seven times last year and Saifiti said it had been inspiring watching his brother hit his stride and emerge as an Origin contender.

"We build off each other and feel each other's energy," Saifiti said.

"It would be good to get a Blues jumper together.

"I got my first jersey in 2019, [but] Jacob is playing better now than I was back then.

"There's more front rowers now than when I debuted, so it's going to be hard but if Jacob plays the way he did last year he is going to be in the picture."

The Saifiti brothers have both played internationally for Fiji, a country they are eligible for through their half-Fijian mum.

But they are also eligible to play for Samoa, through their half-Samoan dad, as well as for Australia.

Saifiti is proud to represent his heritage, and may still do so with Fiji at the World Cup in England this year, but the Central Coast product has his heart set on playing for Australia.

"I'd love to put on the green and gold jersey," he said.

"The Origin arena is the one everyone wants to play in because it's the biggest spectacle our game has got.

"But the biggest honour in terms of playing footy is that green and gold jumper. That's the jersey I haven't got and the one I want to wear."

The Knights fly to Melbourne on Saturday for their second trial match against the Storm in Ballarat on Sunday at 5.45pm. The Knights named a 27-man squad to take to Victoria after using 34 players in their first trial.

Coach Adam O'Brien said he was looking for the same "defensive resolve" his players showed against the Bulldogs on Monday.

"They're renowned for the pre-season Melbourne and they'll be in good condition so I think it will give us a gauge on where we are at," O'Brien said.

"I walked away really, really proud of our club and our young guys in that last 20 minutes. To have a Monday night and the crowd that we got, and them screaming the Newcastle chant when we're are defending out try line, I think that is outstanding.

"It's a trial game and it's 16-all, but they're so educated on rugby league. They know when the team needs a lift and also when the team deserves recognition."