{{Short description|Fiji international rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Jacob "JSaf" Saifiti |fullname = Jacob Saifiti |image = jacobsaifiti.jpg |imagesize = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|5|1}} |birth_place = Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |height = {{convert|195|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|114|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |position = {{rlp|PR}} |club1 = {{nowrap|Newcastle Knights}} |year1start = 2016 |year1end = present |appearances1 = 186 |tries1 = 12 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 48 |teamA = Fiji |yearAstart = 2015 |yearAend = 17 |appearancesA = 7 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |teamB = New South Wales |yearBstart = 2022 |yearBend = 26 |appearancesB = 2 |triesB = 1 |goalsB = 0 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 4 |retired = no |source = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jacob-saifiti/summary.html|title=Jacob Saifiti - Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2016-02-14|access-date=2016-03-14}}</ref> |updated = {{date|{{REVISIONTIMESTAMP}}|DMY}} | module = {{infobox person | embed = yes | father = | mother = | relatives = Daniel Saifiti (brother) | children = }} }}
'''Jacob Saifiti''' (born 1 May 1996) is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr}} forward for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
==Background== Saifiti was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. He is of Fijian and Samoan descent<ref name="theherald1">{{cite web|last=Keeble|first=Brett|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3046623/saifiti-twins-win-fiji-call-up/|title=Saifiti twins win Fiji call-up | Newcastle Herald|publisher=Theherald.com.au|date=2015-04-29|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref> and moved to the Central Coast at a young age.<ref name="theherald1"/> He is the identical twin brother of Daniel Saifiti.<ref name="newcastleknights1"/>
Saifiti played his junior rugby league for the Terrigal Sharks and The Entrance Tigers, before joining the Newcastle Knights in 2015.<ref name="newcastleknights1">{{cite web|url=http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/03/26/saifiti_twins_first_.html|title=Saifiti twins first for the Knights - Knights|date=26 March 2015 |publisher=Newcastleknights.com.au|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref>
==Playing career== ===2015=== In 2015, Saifiti played for the Newcastle Knights' NYC team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nycdatabase.org/players/s/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131072555/http://nycdatabase.org/players/s/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=31 January 2016|title=S|publisher=Nyc Database|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref> On 2 May, he played for Fiji against Papua New Guinea, alongside his twin brother Daniel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2015/4/team-lists-tonga-fiji-bati-papua-new-guinea-teams-for-2015-representative-round/|title=TEAM LISTS: Tonga, Fiji Bati, Papua New Guinea Teams For 2015 Representative Round | Triple M NRL|publisher=Triplem.com.au|date=2015-04-27|access-date=2016-03-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112531/http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2015/4/team-lists-tonga-fiji-bati-papua-new-guinea-teams-for-2015-representative-round/|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 27 September, he played in Newcastle's 2015 New South Wales Cup Grand Final win over the Wyong Roos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2015/09/22/vb_nsw_cup_grand_fin.html|title=VB NSW Cup Grand Final Team List|date=22 September 2015 |publisher=NSWRL|access-date=2015-10-15}}</ref> During the year, he re-signed with the Newcastle club on a two-year contract.<ref name="theherald1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/robertdillon174/status/667137911221972992|title=Robert Dillon on Twitter: "@jamiesonmurph Two years"|publisher=Twitter.com|date=2015-11-18|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref>
===2016=== In round 1 of the 2016 NRL season, Saifiti made his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights against the Gold Coast Titans,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/updated-round-1-nrl-team-lists/tabid/10874/newsid/93308/default.aspx|title=Updated: Round 1 NRL team lists|publisher=NRL.com|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref> playing alongside his brother Daniel, becoming the first twins in Australian rugby league's 108-year history to debut together.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/knights-prop-sam-mataora-rewarded-for-offseason-regimen-with-starting-spot-against-gold-coast/news-story/19053b487d86d66dddb623ec0c2d6e59|title=Knights Prop Sam Mataora Rewarded for Off-Season Regime with Starting Spot Against Gold Coast|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2016-03-06}}</ref> On 12 May, he and his brother extended their contracts with the Knights from the end of 2017 until the end of 2018. He made a total of 18 appearances for Newcastle in his debut season as the club finished last on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/saifitis-extend-contracts-with-knights-21850/#5bfOuc3lMiYXC6Uu.97|title=Saifitis extend contracts with Knights|publisher=Zero Tackle|access-date=2016-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/other-sports/list/the-worst-teams-in-nrl-history-newcastle-knights-rugby-league-wooden-spoon-parramatta-eels-salary-cap-semi-radradra-kieran-foran/1k2c6o18od8431jen234fqd91u/4/|title=The worst teams in NRL history|website=Sporting News|date=28 June 2016|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211141048/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/other-sports/list/the-worst-teams-in-nrl-history-newcastle-knights-rugby-league-wooden-spoon-parramatta-eels-salary-cap-semi-radradra-kieran-foran/1k2c6o18od8431jen234fqd91u/4/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===2017=== Saifiti played 21 games for the Newcastle club in the 2017 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTUtMTY5Ni00LS0tLS0tMjE1MTUtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=23 October 2017}}</ref> before having his contract extended until the end of 2020. Newcastle would finish bottom of the table for a third straight season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zerotackle.com/saifiti-twins-re-sign-newcastle-knights-29958/|title=Saifiti twins re-sign with Newcastle Knights - Zero Tackle|date=23 October 2017|access-date=23 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/12/12/knights-2017-by-the-numbers/|title=Knights: 2017 by the numbers|website=NRL|date=12 December 2017 }}</ref>
===2018=== Saifiti was limited to only eight games for Newcastle in the 2018 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/05/newcastle-knights-2018-season-review/|title=Newcastle Knights 2018 season review|website=NRL|date=22 October 2018 }}</ref>
===2019=== Saifiti played 7 games for Newcastle in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nothingbutleague.com/2019/10/03/2019-season-review-newcastle-knights/|title=2019 SEASON REVIEW NEWCASTLE KNIGHT|website=Nothing But League|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203133211/https://nothingbutleague.com/2019/10/03/2019-season-review-newcastle-knights/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Jacob Saifiti & Daniel Saifiti.jpg|thumb|right|Jacob Saifiti (8) and Daniel Saifiti (10) wait as Reagan Campbell Gillard waits to play the ball in 2021]]
===2020=== Saifiti played 21 games for Newcastle in the 2020 NRL season. He played in Newcastle's first finals game since 2013 which was a 46-20 loss against South Sydney in the elimination final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/29/knights-2020-season-by-the-numbers/|title=2020 season by the numbers|website=www.nrl.com|date=28 November 2020 }}</ref>
===2021=== He played 23 matches for Newcastle in the 2021 NRL season including the club's elimination finals loss against Parramatta.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-12/nrl-parramatta-eels-defeat-newcastle-knights/100436668/|title=Parramatta Eels defeat Newcastle Knights 28-20 in NRL elimination final|newspaper=ABC News|date=12 September 2021}}</ref>
===2022=== Saifiti was selected as a reserve player for New South Wales in the 2022 State of Origin series. He made his Origin debut against Queensland after the withdrawal of Jordan McLean in Game 3 of the series at Suncorp Stadium. Saifiti scored a first half try as New South Wales eventually lost the match 22-12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/07/14/tad-ridiculous-fittler-questions-burton-binning/|title='Tad ridiculous': Fittler questions Burton binning|website=www.nrl.com|date=13 July 2022 }}</ref>
Saifiti played 23 games for Newcastle in the 2022 NRL season as the club missed the finals finishing 14th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2022-newcastle-knights-season-review/zuanch2lkdlbojvv3rtaafcg/|title=NRL 2022: Newcastle Knights season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=6 September 2022 }}</ref>
===2023=== In round 2 of the 2023 NRL season, Saifiti was sent off for a dangerous high tackle on Wests Tigers player Jake Simpkin. Newcastle would go on to win the match 14-12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/nrl/story/_/id/35846313/jacob-saifiti-set-long-nrl-ban-high-tackle/|title=Saifiti set for long NRL ban after high tackle|website=www.espn.co.uk|date=13 March 2023 }}</ref> Saifiti was later suspended for five matches over the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-judiciary-round-2-scott-drinkwater-corey-oates/un7hqmo5nqqm4z9jyjhjbs2s/|title=Scott Drinkwater hit with lengthy ban for Corey Oates hit, Peta Hiku suspended|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=14 March 2023 }}</ref> On 3 July, Saifiti was a surprise selection for New South Wales ahead of their match in game 3 of the 2023 State of Origin series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/nrl-2023-state-of-origin-game-iii-blues-selections-for-game-iii-greg-alexander-bradman-best-controversial-nrl360-buzz-rothfield/news-story/af6644d697b6612e63f8dbbcdbde1654/|title='That is rude': Brandy fumes at 'disrespectful' call amid fiery Blues Origin III selection grilling|website=www.foxsports.co.au|date=3 July 2023 }}</ref> In round 27, Saifiti captained Newcastle for the first time and scored the opening try in a 32-12 win over the St. George Illawarra Dragons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/09/02/knights-make-it-nine-straight-to-secure-home-final/|title=Knights make it nine straight to secure fifth spot|date=2 September 2023|website=National Rugby League}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2023/08/29/dragons-v-knights-round-27-nrl-team-list-thrifty/|title=Dragons v Knights Round 27 NRL Team List|date=29 August 2023|website=Newcastle Knights}}</ref> Saifiti played a total of 21 games for Newcastle in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 5th on the table. Saifiti played in both finals games as Newcastle were eliminated in the second week of the finals by the New Zealand Warriors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-newcastle-knights-season-review/eb7fed33aeb7f61ca8030120#:~:text=The%20Knights'%20season%20was%20languishing,rugby%20league%20fans%20in%20general./|title=NRL 2023: Newcastle Knights season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=19 September 2023 }}</ref>
===2024=== Saifiti played 16 games for Newcastle in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 8th and qualified for the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-newcastle-knights-season-review-adam-obrien-20240917-p5kb9j.html/|title=Brutal reality Newcastle must accept before solving confidence-killing 'riddle'|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
===2025=== Saifiti made 16 appearances for Newcastle in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished with the wooden spoon for a fifth time. It was Saifiti's third wooden spoon as a player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-newcastle-knights-press-conference-adam-obrien-final-game-reaction-6610-wooden-spoon-rugby-league-news/news-story/0d2382b73d882446b5f5f57abf1a740b/|title=‘Bulls**t’: Dejected O’Brien struggles for answers after final Knights game|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref>
== Statistics == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2016 | rowspan="11" |{{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} Newcastle Knights |18 |2 |8 |- |2017 |21 |1 |4 |- |2018 |8 | | |- |2019 |7 | | |- |2020 |21 |3 |12 |- |2021 |23 |3 |12 |- |2022 |23 |1 |4 |- |2023 |21 |1 |4 |- |2024 |16 |1 |4 |- |2025 |16 | | |- |2026 |4 | | |- | |Totals |178 |12 |48 |}
==Controversy== On 2 December 2018, Saifiti was found unconscious and with a broken leg after a fight with Dane Cordner, the brother of NSW captain and Sydney Roosters player Boyd Cordner. Saifiti was later cleared of any wrongdoing but was fined $50,000 by Newcastle over the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-66-scandals-in-four-years-that-have-rocked-the-nrl/news-story/1bbcdffd432063bec8e521c736f7ae4d/|title=The 66 scandals in four years that have rocked the NRL|website=Fox Sports|date=8 February 2019 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/newcastle-knights/jacob-saifiti/ Newcastle Knights profile] *[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=382#Jacob-Saifiti 2017 RLWC profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105170435/http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=382#Jacob-Saifiti |date=5 November 2017 }}
{{Newcastle Knights squad}} {{Fiji 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saifiti, Jacob}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Australian people of Fijian descent Category:Australian people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Fiji national rugby league team players Category:Identical twin males Category:Newcastle Knights players Category:Newcastle Knights captains Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players Category:Rugby league players from Newcastle, New South Wales Category:Rugby league props Category:Rugby league second-rows Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen