Knights star Jacob Saifiti has been sent off after a horrific hit KO’ed 20-year-old Warriors debutant Luke Laulilii.
Newcastle raced into a 10-0 lead in just 11 minutes to silence the Auckland crowd, but moments later the game was flipped on its head.
Saifiti came out of the line and crashed his shoulder into the head of youngster Laulilii who was violently sent down to the ground.
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Saifiti was apologetic and appeared to instantly acknowledge his mistake, before he was sent from the field.
Speaking on Fox Sports, commentator Michael Ennis said: “This might be a send off. He’s come out of the line with intent and has absolutely rocked Luke Laulilii.
“He comes out of the line and just gets it wrong and he’s going for the game.
“This is a big moment in Newcastle’s season. He’s gone. He has to be… That is savage.”
Football Central added on social media: “Jacob Saifiti is sent off for the Knights! Huge moment in the game, horror tackle that.”
While The HikingViking, said: “Seriously, what was Saifiti thinking? A complete brain explosion.
“One of the most horrible tackles I’ve seen in a long bloody time.”
And another viewer added: “Just saw the Saifiti hit. Holy f***.”
Laulilii was taken off for a HIA (head injury assessment) and medical staff deemed he was unable to return to the field as his debut ended in disappointment.
After Saifiti’s send off, the Knights did score another try to extend their lead to 16 points, but then the wheels began to come off.
The Wahs scored four unanswered tries to take a six-point lead, before the Knights reduced the deficit to head into halftime trailing 22-20.
Originally published as NRL fury as youngster KO’ed in ‘horror’ show, send off changes game