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Saifiti: 'Defensive focus key to beating Tigers'

nib Newcastle Knights forward Jacob Saifiti admits the Wests Tigers have been in red hot form so far this season with impressive displays in both attack and defence.

The Knights travel to Tamworth on Friday before their encounter at Scully Park on Saturday afternoon, and Saifiti said he’ll be looking to shut down the Tigers through a tight defensive structure.

“They have been very good this year,” Saifiti commented.

“I wouldn’t say it's surprising, but they have been very strong defensively… we will have to be on our game this weekend to come out with a win.

“It (our defence) has definitely been one of our focal points this week.

“All we can do is work harder to try and improve it.”

Saifiti reflected upon his days in the junior system, stating that Tamworth is a town he enjoys travelling to and giving back to the country fans in rugby league.

“It’s something different, I haven’t played there since Harold Matthews Cup when I was 15, hopefully it will be a good crowd and the fans get behind us... going up there always makes us proud as a team,” he said.

The 21-year-old prop is looking forward to proving himself this weekend in a bid to retain an ongoing role in coach Nathan Brown’s 17. 

“That is the goal… I’ll aim to play my best role in the team, if Browny (Nathan Brown) believes that my best role is as an impact player off the bench, then that is what I will do.