THE Newcastle Knights are privately fuming about a tackle in their opening trial match that has left enforcer Daniel Saifiti nursing a broken leg and facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
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Saifiti will miss Saturday's season-opener against Sydney Roosters at the SCG after he was was injured in the 16-all draw against Canterbury at McDonald Jones Stadium on February 21, in a tackle by Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson.
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Thompson initially grabbed Saifiti around the waist and slid down his legs to effect the tackle, after which the NSW Origin prop screamed in pain and remonstrated with his English rival, before limping from the field.
He has since been diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his tibia, which was likely to require a recovery period of four to six weeks from the day of the injury.
Thompson was subsequently charged by the NRL match review panel with grade-one contrary conduct for using a "hip drop" technique and pleaded gulity.
He was fined $2700 but will be available for round one, while Saifiti will miss at least the opening two rounds of the season.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien has declined to comment about the incident, but the Newcastle Herald understands he is disappointed because Saifiti was injured in two similar tackles last season and missed a number of games.
In Saifiti's absence, his twin brother Jacob and former Test front-rower David Klemmer will start against the Roosters.
With experienced Sauaso Sue still recovering after off-season shoulder surgery, the Knights appear thin up front.
New recruit Leo Thompson, who impressed in the trials after joining Newcastle from Canberra, will make his NRL debut off the bench.
Rugged Mitch Barnett is also expected to spend time in the middle, having played the majority of the past two seasons as an edge back-rower.
Newcastle's squad is: 1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Dom Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Kurt Mann.
Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Mitchell Barnett, 16. Leo Thompson, 17. Jirah Momoisea.
Extended Bench: 18. Tex Hoy, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Simi Sasagi, 21. Brayden Musgrove, 22. Mathew Croker, 23. Dylan Lucas, 24. Jaron Purcell.
