Newcastle recruit Jeremy Smith was placed on report for a lifting tackle to take some of the gloss off an otherwise impressive Knights display in the 18-6 NRL trial win over South Sydney in Coffs Harbour.

Knights officials are hopeful the New Zealand Test backrower won’t have a case to answer after he was cautioned for his first half hit on Rabbitohs forward David Tyrell.

Smith was part of a full-strength Knights line-up for the opening half at the BCU International Stadium, the highlight of which was a brilliant run from former NSW Origin winger Akuila Uate to set up the only try of the period to Matt Hilder.

The Rabbitohs, who also ran out their big guns with Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Adam Reynolds all included, struggled to find the cohesion which propelled their run deep into last year’s finals series.

Winger Nathan Merritt went closest to scoring when he lost the ball just short of the tryline in the second quarter, while Inglis only showed brief glimpses of his devastating best.

The Knights ran out a virtual second-string side for the second half, with halfback Tyrone Roberts bagging a double to show he may be worth another run in the top grade after filling in for injured skipper Kurt Gidley for much of last season.

Souths finally got on the board when Apisai Koroisau scored in the final quarter, but Roberts sealed the result with his second just before fulltime.