Saifiti Twins Face Off for the First Time in Knights vs. Dolphins Showdown
For the first time in their careers, Daniel and Jacob Saifiti will find themselves on opposing sides of the field. After years of playing together—from their junior days with The Entrance Tigers to their professional careers with the Newcastle Knights—this Thursday night marks an unprecedented moment in their lives. Daniel, now donning a Dolphins jersey, is set to clash head-on with his twin brother Jacob in what promises to be an electrifying NRL showdown in Newcastle.
Their mother, Beverly Craner, will be in the stands, torn between pride and nerves, watching her sons go to battle. “I’m going to say a little prayer to myself,” she admitted with a nervous laugh. “I just hope they have fun, like when they were kids, but it’s definitely going to be nerve-racking.”
From backyard brawls to NRL warriors, the Saifiti twins have always pushed each other to be their best. Jacob recalls their childhood battles, where competition was fierce but always fueled by love and respect. However, when it comes to Thursday night, all sentimentality will be set aside. “Once they pull that jersey on, they’ll just go at each other,” Beverly added.
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Daniel’s move to the Dolphins after nine seasons with the Knights has shaken up Newcastle’s forward pack. His departure means Jacob now carries extra responsibility, both as a leader and enforcer in the Knights' engine room. “It obviously makes the pressure and load on my back a bit heavier,” Jacob said. “There’s more expectation, and that’s something I’m enjoying. My voice is louder at training, and my actions are, too.”
Thursday’s matchup will make the Saifitis only the fifth pair of twins in rugby league history to play against each other at the top level. According to NRL historian David Middleton, the rare sibling rivalry joins the ranks of the McMartin, Walters, Morris, and Robinson twins.
Despite the shift in team colors, the competitive fire between the two remains as strong as ever. “Even when we were training with the Knights, we’d go full contact in opposed sessions,” Jacob said. “So tackling him won’t be anything new—except now he’s in a different jersey.”
For Daniel, this game is more than just a test of loyalty—it’s about making his mark in his new team while proving he can go toe-to-toe with his twin. “The position we play, we’re usually involved in the first contact, either carrying the ball or in defense,” Daniel said. “It’ll be good fun. We used to bash each other in the backyard, so to do it in an NRL game is going to be pretty special.”
And while two premiership points are on the line, so too are lifelong bragging rights. “It’s already started,” Beverly revealed. “They’re close, and they support each other, but they both want to win for their teams. That’s their job.”
One thing is for certain—when that first whistle blows, neither brother will hold back. This game is set to be an unforgettable chapter in the Saifiti twins’ story.
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