Newcastle Knights v Dolphins live updates and results

Jacob and Daniel Saifiti have never played against each other at any level; that will change on Thursday night and the twin brothers have promised fireworks.

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Daniel Saifiti and twin brother Jacob have made a pact – to run directly at each other with the first kick-off return on Thursday night.

The pair will go head-to-head for the first time when the Knights host the Dolphins. Daniel said he can’t recall them ever playing against each other aside from the usual heated backyard tussles.

But as soon as the draw was released the brothers have been speaking about the round two clash.

“We’ve made a pact that we have to run at each other from the first kick-off,” Daniel said. “As soon as I signed we gave each other a couple of scenarios. But we made that pact over a couple of beers.

“As soon as the draw came out we sent it to each other straight away. Literally from kindergarten we have always been on the same team.

(L-R) Daniel and Jacob Saifiti will face off on Thursday night.

“We’d compete every day against each other. Whether it was on the PlayStation or in the backyard. We had to get broken up a couple of times as kids.

“We’d always try to win against each other. You want to get one over your twin brother.

“The family have already sorted a half Newcastle and half Dolphins jersey to wear.”

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said he was excited to see the Saifiti brothers go toe-to-toe.

“They are very close,” he said.

“Jacob was up not too long ago and I got to catch up with him at Daniel’s. It was great seeing them together, you can see how close they are.

“I’m sure they’re going to want to get into each other. They’re on different teams. It’s going to be physical and they both play that way.

“It’ll be good seeing those two big blokes tee off on each other.

“It will be enjoyable to sit back and watch. They are both very good players and big, tough men.

“They play nice and physical through the middle.”

The Morris twins shared a funny moment when Brett and Josh exchanged shadow punches on the stroke of halftime when they came head to head for the first time with their paths not really crossing during general play.

Daniel Saifiti of the Dolphins poses for a photo with his family after the round one NRL match between the Dolphins and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Picture: Getty Images

The Saifiti boys – who made their NRL debut alongside each other – though will meet from the opening play. Daniel doesn’t mind who wins the toss but expected there to be a little bit of banter between the two.

“If one of us gets a good shot there will be a bit of talk,” Daniel said. “I’ve played the scenarios over in my head. Do I smile at him at the scrum? It’s one of those things where I’ll have to wait and see.

“We are pretty similar. We play in the middle and will probably be pretty serious.”

The Saifiti boys talk daily usually in a group chat with Newcastle bench forward Matt Croker.

Adding sentiment will be Daniel’s homecoming. He was released from the final two years of his Newcastle contract to sign a three year deal with the Dolphins.

“There will be emotion,” Saifiti said. “I have so many of my best mates there. I have good relationships with everyone at the club and I have left on good terms. I have a lot of love the for the club and the town. I’m loving the move. It feels like I’m starting my career again.”

Originally published as Newcastle Knights v Dolphins live updates and results