NRL Late Mail semi-final week 2023: Daniel Saifiti out for Knights, Jahrome Hughes to miss for Storm

The Knights have been dealt a big selection blow right on the eve of their clash with the Warriors - keep up to date with breaking team news here.

Newcastle star Daniel Saifiti has been ruled out of Saturday’s semi-final against the Warriors after breaking down at the club’s captain’s run.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has called 18th man Brodie Jones into the team as a last-minute replacement for Saifiti on the bench.

Saifiti has played 22 games for the Knights this year and will be sorely missed against a tough Warriors pack in Auckland.

Shaun Johnson is the big watch for the Warriors. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

WARRIORS V KNIGHTS

SATURDAY, 4.05PM (EST), GO MEDIA STADIUM, AUCKLAND

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran

Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki

Players cut: 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Tom Ale 23. Edward Kosi

Late Mail: The Warriors are yet to decide if they will roll the dice on Shaun Johnson. He may go into the clash with no training with the team.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club said: “Shaun has progressed well this week undergoing various training scenarios.

“He trained well this morning (Wednesday) by himself.

“Tomorrow Shaun will not train with the team to enable him to have the best preparation for game day on Saturday.”

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 19. Enari Tuala 20. Fa’amanu Brown

Players cut: 15. Daniel Saifiti 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns

Late Mail: Daniel Saifiti is out with Brodie Jones coming onto the bench in his place. Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) and Jackson Hastings (ankle) were ruled out on Tuesday but are hoping to return next week if the Knights make it.