Warriors embarrass diabolical Tigers with comeback win

Wests Tigers’ season is on life support after one of their most embarrassing losses of the season against an undermanned New Zealand Warriors.

Most fans expected the Tigers to win big against an opposition who gave up 60 points six days earlier to Souths, were struck down by a whopping injury toll, and farewelled club favourite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck during the week. Instead, the Tigers gave up a 10-0 lead to lose 18-16.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire looked a broken man up in the stands at Suncorp Stadium after full-time.

He would have felt ill when fullback Daine Laurie broke his leg in the opening minute.

He would have been forgiven for punching the glass in front of him when Adam Doueihi attempted a two-point field goal outside the 40m with five minutes remaining.

And Maguire should have tried punching the glass when Joe Ofahengaue carted the ball to the line on the final tackle, only to play the ball with nobody at marker.

Shawn Blore offloads while going down at Suncorp.Credit:Getty

“The first half they stuck to the plan, the second half they didn’t,” Maguire said.

“We’re all very disappointed. It was a big moment for a lot of us. You work every week to give yourself an opportunity ... every game is an important game to get to where we want to get to, and sometimes you don’t get there as quickly as you’d like.

“Everyone wants [success] now. They’re going through a lot of experiences at the moment that will be the makings of what this group is about.”

The Tigers had a dream run home to the finals with games against Canterbury, the Cowboys and Sharks over the next three weeks. Based on the effort against the Warriors, they will get trounced every time.

What a shame it will be if the Tigers miss the finals for a 10th straight year.

Braith Anasta, who finished his career at the Tigers, was savage on the TV commentary when he said: “[That will be] one of the darkest moments in Wests Tigers history. It was a diabolical performance.”

As bad as the Tigers were, the Warriors deserve praise for having a dig when everything was against them.

They were without a host of stars, including starting props Addin Fonua-Blake and Matt Lodge, as well as Chad Townsend, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tohu Harris. Tuivasa-Sheck was given an emotional haka as he farewelled his teammates on Thursday morning. And the Warriors were coming off seven straight losses.

The Tigers had all the ball but only two tries by half-time.

Laurie went down in the opening minute when he landed awkwardly in a tackle with hooker Taniela Otukolo clinging to his back. Ben Murdoch-Masila finished him off from in front.

Even if the Tigers drag themselves off the canvas and make the finals, Laurie is unlikely to be there for them.

The Warriors scored three tries in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, including a double to Euan Aitken.

Doueihi scored a try to get the Tigers to within two points, but they did not have the patience nor class to seal the win. It was a frustrating final 10 minutes.

Halfback Luke Brooks raced 85m to score what he thought was the winner but was pulled back for a knock-on.

The Warriors celebrated. The Tigers looked stunned. Brooks and Maguire will be cannon fodder for critics and the fans.

Maybe the Tales From Tiger Town documentary should be scrapped on principle. September cannot come soon enough for the joint venture.

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Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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