Saifiti free to play but Knights have work to do before round one

Saifiti was placed on report for a late shot in the steamy trial, but the prop - along with teammate Tom Jenkins who was pinned for a crusher tackle - escaped a ban from the match-review committee. Saifiti was hit with a grade-one dangerous contact charge but only has to pay a fine. Jenkins avoided punishment altogether.

The duo's availability to face Canberra on Thursday week will be welcome news for coach Adam O'Brien after the Knights were handed a reality-check in their second and final pre-season fixture.

Playing in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and more than 70 per cent humidity, the Knights appeared to struggle with the heat at Churchill Park in Lautoka and never really looked a chance of beating the Storm.

Errors and penalties cost them early and after trailing 12-0 inside the opening quarter they fell further behind without the likes of skipper Kalyn Ponga and other starters on the field in the second half.

"The Storm were good," Ponga said.

"They probably controlled that first 15, admittedly, but I thought we got back into it. We found our feet a little bit.

"Today was a good hit out, last week was a good hit out, so we're excited."

Newcastle were a chance to take out the $100,000 tournament had they won following last week's 44-18 victory over Cronulla, but the Storm were too strong.

A break from Ponga which set up Bradman Best for Newcastle's second try a minute before half-time and Enari Tuala's earlier four-pointer were the encouraging moments for the Knights in what was an at times lacklustre display.

Ponga played the first 40 minutes, as did wingers Greg Marzhew and Tuala. Jackson Hastings went off 15 minutes into the second half.

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes in Fiji due to the heat and drinks breaks held midway through each half.

Melbourne made Newcastle pay for giving away a couple of cheap penalties early when back-rower Eliesa Katoa strolled over from close range in the 11th minute.

Xavier Coates crossed on the left flank for the Storm's second seven minutes later to help make it 12-0.

The Knights hit back on the same edge when Tuala dived over in the 23rd minute, but Ponga sprayed the conversion attempt wide to leave Newcastle trailing 12-4.

Former Knights lower-grade player Jonah Pezet sold a dummy to sneak past English recruit Kai Pearce-Paul for a try seven minutes before half-time, the halfback scoring behind the goal-posts to help put Melbourne 18-4 in front.

Best finished off a neat sweep on the left edge a minute before the break. The centre took an offload from Ponga and sprinted 25 metres to score untouched.

Trailing 18-10, the Knights brought off the likes of Ponga, Tuala and Marzhew at the break and it took only five minutes for the Storm to move further ahead.

Young Tonumaipea caught a loopy cut-out pass on the left flank and stepped inside Knights winger David Armstrong to score in the corner.

Newly appointed Storm skipper Harry Grant dived over from dummy-half in the 62nd minute to help his side take a 28-10 advantage.

Four minutes later, Saifiti was sin-binned and put on report for a late shot.

O'Brien had called for a strong performance ahead of Saturday's match, but his troops were flat at times during the match and made far too many errors.

Whether the contest helps him decide on the last few positions he is yet to lock in, given the conditions, remains to be seen.

Jack Cogger spent time at dummy-half in the first half in a potential indication of how he might be used in round one against the Raiders.