In years to come, the past few days will be seen as a historic Wests Tigers episode.
So much has happened, starting with the announcement early last week of captain Jarome Luai’s signing with the PNG Chiefs from 2028.
And then, before the haters had an opportunity to spew their doomsday predictions, the club revealed it had secured contract extensions for both Terrell and Taylan May, with the brothers committing until the end of the 2030 NRL season.
It was followed by the jewel in the crown, the signature of exciting fullback Jahream Bula on a new four-year contract that will see him also remain at Wests Tigers until the end of the 2030 NRL season.
These were on top of announcements earlier in the year the club had secured Adam Doueihi to a long term contract.
Securing the services of players of that calibre, X factor stars who can help deliver a premiership in the next few years, is the opposite to what’s been helping in the club.
Previously, talented players unearthed by the club usually left for what they believed to be greener pastures, from James Tedesco to Mitchell Moses and just last year Lachlan Galvin.
If the past week has shown us anything is that those days are over, and the future looks bright for the Wests Tigers.
Back on the field, the side had what hopefully may be a hiccup, losing to Cronulla on Sunday off the back of a terrible second half performance after being competitive in the opening stanza.
The rot set in after the departure from the field of Adam Doueihi, who dislocated his shoulder.
Without a shadow of a doubt Doueihi has been the team’s best player this season, and he will be sorely missed in the next few weeks.
The team’s second best player this season, second rower Sam Fainu, also succumbed to a serious foot injury and left the field in the second half.
It all means that after a brilliant start to the season, when there were hardly any injuries to worry about, the rugby league gods have suddenly gone sour on the Tigers.
Adam Doueihi will be out of action for six weeks, while Fainu is looking at three months on the sidelines.
Jahream Bula is expected to recover from a left shoulder injury in around five weeks, while young star Masi Makasani is due back in three weeks from a foot injury.
Also missing is co-captain Api Koroisau, due to a three week suspension.
So that’s three quarters of the spine not available for selection, starting with this Sunday’s round 10 clash with Storm in Melbourne.
A shift in the backline sees Sunia Turuva move to the wing to make way for Heath Mason at fullback, while Patrick Herbert replaces Starford To’a in the centres.
Jock Madden will partner Jarome Luai in the halves, donning the #7 jersey in place of the injured Adam Doueihi.
Kai Pearce-Paul returns from HIA protocols, pairing up in the second row with Sione Fainu who comes in for brother Sam due to injury.
Bunty Afoa and Mavrik Geyer bolster forward stocks from the interchange bench, with Charlie Murray, Tony Sukkar, and Javon Andrews lining up in the reserves.
WESTS TIGERS LINEUP:
1. Heath Mason
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Patrick Herbert
4. Taylan May
5. Luke Laulilii
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jock Madden
8. Terrell May
9. Tristan Hope
10. Fonua Pole
11. Sione Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
INTERCHANGE:
14. Latu Fainu
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Royce Hunt
18. Mavrik Geyer
19. Jeral Skelton