The Wests Tigers put on a brilliant 80 minute display to beat Manly by 14 points earlier tonight, but a diabolical first half penalty count almost cost them the match.
A hat-trick to the next NSW Origin fullback, James Tedesco, got them home 36-22 in the end.
But after blasting Manly off the park in a little over 20 minutes in the first half – almost exactly as they did to the Warriors at Campbelltown a week ago – the Tigers found themselves on the back foot as the penalty count against them mounted.
All of the 50-50 decisions were going against them in the next 30 minutes and the young Tigers could have easily thrown in the towel, especially after losing star backrower Curtis Sironen to a hamstring injury early in the first half.
But the boys hung in there and once the penalty count became more even – and some would say fair – they tore Manly to shreds.
The only danger to the Tigers, other than the refereeing blunders – was their former forward Martin Taupau, who ran at Moses Mitchell all night, and scored one of the Manly tries.
But Moses, his halves partner Luke Brooks and the rest of the Wests Tigers team had the last laugh, wrapping up the match in the last 10 minutes.
And Tedesco, who scored two of his three tries in that period, was a standout in both attack and in defence once again.
But this was a real team effort from the Wests Tigers, who are still missing Robbie Farah, their State of Origin hooker.
Full credit to coach Jason Taylor for having his team running like a well oiled machine so early in the season.
This was more of a 15th round performance than a second round one, as was the first half last week.
There was so much razzle dazzle in attack, with quick hands pushing the ball from one end of the field to the other, a commentator mentioned shades of ’05, and I think he was right, but let’s not get carried away – premierships are definitely not won in round two.
In round three the undefeated Tigers travel north to take on the Gold Coast Titans this coming Saturday night, with the match slated to start 9.30pm, NSW time.
FULL TIME — Wests Tigers 36 (Tedesco 3, Nofoaluma 2, Naiqama, Rankin tries; Moses 4/8 goals) defeated Sea Eagles 22 (Brown, Walker, Taufua, Taupau tries; Lyon 3/4 goals)
