Knights coach Adam O'Brien on why Mason Lino will play his first NRL game of the season on Saturday.

Lino hasn't played an NRL game since the final round last season and is off contract at the end of the year. But he been given the chance, just ahead of Tex Hoy, to potentially resurrect his NRL career with a strong performance against his former club the Warriors in Tamworth on Saturday.

O'Brien admitted he thought long and hard before opting for Lino as Green's replacement ahead of Hoy.

"I was really tempted to go with Tex but I just think in terms of Mason's kicking game, having a voice out there and organising our structures to help Junior [halfback Mitchell Pearce], I think that's what we need this late in the season," he said.

"I certainly haven't put a line through Tex at all in that regard but for where we are at for the moment in terms of kicking and organisational stuff, I want to see what Mason can give us."

The Knights coach met privately for more than 30 minutes with Lino yesterday and came out of their meeting confident he will get the job done despite plenty of criticism of his defence during his career.

"We just talked about his role and what he needs to do,"O'Brien said.

"As far as his defence goes, I don't have anything to gauge it on because there hasn't been any games for him this season.

"To be fair to him, he was carrying a shoulder injury in that Penrith game at the end of last season when he struggled defensively and I've probably been guilty of judging him on that performance for way too long.

"But all he can do is train really well and he's done that. He's a smart kid who completely understands our defensive systems. I can tell you he completely understands the importance of it and he also understands why I have gone with some other guys over the top of him prior to now.

"So he's more aware than anyone of his responsibilities in that area."

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O'Brien has made no other changes to the side that accounted for North Queensland Cowboys 12-0 last Sunday with the Knights on the brink of securing a finals berth if they beat the Warriors.

Injured prop Daniel Saifiti has been given another week off as a precaution to make sure his troublesome knee in 100 percent and will return for Friday week's clash with Cronulla.

Young winger Starford To'a, who failed a HIA after being concussed in the first half against the Cowboys, was named for the Warriors game and is set to play.

"Star is fine," O'Brien said. "He has to get through the protocols for the rest of the week and won't be involved in any contact stuff but I'm really confident he'll be right to go in Tamworth."

The Warriors clash will be a milestone game for Knights prop David Klemmer, who will be playing his 150th NRL game.

"It's a special milestone - I was happy to play one first grade game and now I've played 150," Klemmer said.

"The reason why I play footy is for my kids and being part of this footy club now, it's very special to me and I'm very proud to be where I am today."

Klemmer said the serious nature of Green's injury against the Cowboys took the gloss off the club's third straight win.

"Everyone is very shocked and frustrated and sad for Greeny," he said.

"Since he's come here, it feels like he has been here for 10 years. He's got that nature about him and he is such a good bloke. It's absolutely gut-wrenching."

Green will have surgery next week to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee with his playing future under a cloud. He turns 34 next month.

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