The Raiders already had a colossal task on their hands when they travelled north to face the Knights and their challenge became even harder when a thumping hit-up rubbed a youngster from the game early.
Three minutes into the elimination final at McDonald Jones Stadium, hulking Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti burst onto the footy, tucked it under his right arm and cannoned into Canberra lock Hohepa Puru.
Featuring in just his second NRL game, Puru bent low to tackle Saifiti and was rocked by the NSW State of Origin front-rower, suffering a head knock and hitting the ground with a thud.
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He left the ground for a head injury assessment and failed the test, having displayed category-one symptoms.
“Goes low and he drops his head, the young man,” Andrew Johns said on Nine’s coverage.
“Gets his head in an awkward position. You don’t like to see that. He hits the hip and he’s out.
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“He was great last week on debut. He has a really bright future.
“Unfortunate for the young man. That was a heavy knock.”
Gun Knights second-rower Tyson Frizell left the field for a head injury assessment in the 33rd minute, having copped a head knock while tackling Matt Frawley, but he passed the examination during half-time.