In a pre-season practice match between the Newcastle Knights and the Melbourne Storm, identical twins Jacob and Daniel Saifiti of the Knights came up with a mischievous plan to trick the referee. Midway through the game, they attempted to swap places, hoping to go unnoticed. However, their cheeky maneuver was quickly spotted by the referee, Belinda Sharpe, and the audience watching on national TV.
The Switcheroo Goes Awry
As the match progressed, Jacob was penalized for a late hit on Melbourne prop Tui Kamikamica. The penalty sparked a scuffle between the two teams, which caught the attention of the referee. Sensing an opportunity, Jacob quietly made his way towards the dugout, while Daniel stepped onto the field to replace him.
Caught in the Act
Unfortunately for the twins, referee Belinda Sharpe was not fooled by their clever plan. She immediately noticed the switch and, with a smile, called out to Daniel, “Where’s Jacob? Bring him back on.” The referee’s quick thinking prevented the twins from getting away with their trickery. Jacob was then sent to the sin bin as a result of his late hit.
A Hilarious Moment for All
The comical incident did not go unnoticed by the commentators. Fox commentator Andrew Voss found the whole situation incredibly amusing. He exclaimed, “Oh, hang on, the old switcheroo. The brothers, oh, that’s so clever, Newcastle. I’m standing and applauding. You got him off the field, amazing. That’s a beautiful piece of play. That is rugby league.”
Despite their unsuccessful attempt, the twins’ clever ploy provided a lighthearted moment in the game. It showcased the playful side of rugby and added a touch of humor to the match.
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