Saifiti was replaced midway through the first half and did not return. He was reported to have a suffered suspected medial-ligament strain, barely 24 hours before the Blues name their team for this year's interstate-series opener.

Newcastle will not be happy with a scrappy performance but will be relieved to have posted their fourth win of the season, climbing from 15^th to 13^th on the ladder in the process.

The Knights produced an awful start, conceding soft tries to centres Adam Pompey and Viliami Vailea to trail 10-0 after only nine minutes.

A penalty goal by fullback Reece Walsh then increased the Warriors' lead to 12-0.

Despite multiple handling errors, Newcastle recovered to register tries through Tyson Frizell and Edrick Lee to level the scores at 12-all shortly before half-time.

The Warriors edged back ahead 10 minutes into the second half when winger Dallin Watene-Zalezniak scored from a cross-field kick, but two tries from Newcastle centre Enari Tuala in the 52^nd and 68^th minute gave the Knights an eight-point buffer with 12 minutes to play.

The injury to Saifiti did not help Newcastle's cause.

The towering front-rower was hurt making a try-saving tackle on Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson - which led to a penalty for high contact - and was replaced soon after.

In his 23-minute stint on the field, the Blues prop made only one run for a seven-metre gain.

The Knights completed only 11 of their 17 first-half sets in possession after making six handling errors.

The Warriors' performance was similarly error-riddled and they were hindered for 10 minutes during a crucial period in the second half by the loss of winger Marcelo Montoya to the sin-bin.

Newcastle have the bye next weekend before hosting premiers Penrith in their next assignment on Sunday, June 12.