Newcastle Knights have been stung by the loss of another key player for their sudden death NRL finals clash with NZ Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.
NSW State of Origin prop Daniel Saifiti has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, joining half Jackson Hastings and Lachlan Fitzgibbon on the sidelines for the must-win match at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
Brodie Jones will replace Saifiti on the bench, while the rest of coach Adam O'Brien's team remains unchanged, as Enari Tuala and Fa'amanu Brown stay on the extended bench.
Meanwhile for the hosts, Shaun Johnson has kept his spot in the starting line-up, after missing last weekend's clash with Penrith Panthers due to a calf tear.
As reported earlier on Friday, the Warriors won't confirm his status until an hour before tomorrow's kick-off, although Newshub's sources indicate he's on track to play.
Front rowers Tom Ale and Bunty Afoa plus winger Edward Kosi have been omitted from the gameday squad, with hooker Freddy Lussick and fullback Taine Tuaupiki retained.
Saturday's winner will advance to face Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in the preliminary final, while the losers' season will come to an end.
NZ 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 (captain)
Interchange: 14-Dylan Walker, 15-Jazz Tevaga, 16-Bayley Sironen, 17-Josh Curran, 18-Freddy Lussick, 20-Taine Tuaupiki
