NRL 2022 Round 12 Casualty Ward, Judiciary: Daniel Saifiti injury, Jarome Luai, Jordan Riki and Thomas Flegler fined

Knights prop Daniel Saifiti’s hopes of retaining his spot in the NSW Blues are over, while Jarome Luai has learnt his fate after being charged for a high shot on Scott Drinkwater.

NRL 2022 RD05 Newcastle Knights v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - Daniel Saifiti. Picture: NRL Photos

Daniel Saifiti’s Origin hopes are over with fears with the Knights prop will be sidelined for at least a month.

Saifiti, who was a frontrunner to keep his Origin spot, suffered a medial ligament injury in the Knights’ 24-16 win over the Warriors at Redcliffe on Saturday.

The NSW brains trust wanted Saifiti to fire up and give them a compelling reason to select him in the Blues team for the opening State of Origin clash, but injury ruined those hopes.

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Daniel Saifiti picked up a knee injury against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Photos

In the opening 23 minutes, he had just one run for seven metres before injuring his right knee, which was already heavily strapped. The 26-year-old has been one of the first picked in the past three Origin series but has been below his best this season.

Knights officials expect him to be sidelined for between four to six weeks.

“[Saifiti] is in a leg brace and they are thinking MCL,” Knights coach Adam O’Brien said after the match.

LUAI FINED FOR HIT

Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai will be free to play for the Blues despite being charged by the match review committee.

Luai was charged with a grade one careless high tackle which will result in a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea. The tackle occurred in the 76th minute against North Queensland’s Scott Drinkwater on Friday night.

Brisbane duo Jordan Riki and Thomas Flegler will also escape suspensions if they take up early guilty pleas. Origin hopeful Flegler’s fine is $3000 as it’s his third offence already this year.

Gold Coast’s Jaimin Jolliffe was the only other player charged but he too has been hit with a monetary fine.