Wests Tigers was searching for their first win in 2023 when they hosted Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Result
Sea Eagles 22
Tries: (3) Daly Cherry-Evans 7th, Haumole Olakau’atu 20th, Jason Saab 71st
Goals: (5) Reuben Garrick 9th, 21st, 45th, 72nd, 76th
Tigers 16
Tries: (3) Charlie Staines 35th; Api Koroisau 55th, Starford To’a 63rd
Goals: (2) Brandon Wakeham 36th, 56th
Report
Coming into the game the Wests Tigers were four points adrift of the Bulldogs at the bottom of the NRL ladder and yet to record a victory in 2023. Their assignment against the Sea Eagles was going to be tough given the way Manly disposed of Melbourne at 4 Pines Park nine days earlier.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens promoted 21-year-old fullback Jahream Bula to make his NRL debut and in doing so became the 269th player to represent the joint venture club. Samuela Fainu made his debut from the Sea Eagles bench.
Despite the Wests Tigers having 75% of the ball in the first seven minutes it took one attacking play for Manly from inside their half to get on the board through Daly Cherry-Evans. The Manly skipper would be on hand to put Haumole Olakau’atu through a gap in the Tigers defence and a comfortable 12-0 lead.
Charlie Staines’ spectacular finish in the corner gave the Tigers some hope leading into half-time with a six-point deficit. Manly would need to improve on their 62% completion rate in the second half if they were to move into outright second.
Manly’s error rate didn’t improve in the second half and the Wests Tigers took advantage of an error by Jason Saab with Api Koroisau scoring to make it a two-point game at 14-12 with 24 to go.
To the delight of the Tigers fans, they took the lead through Starford To’a, however the Sea Eagles took back the lead with Cherry-Evans’ pinpoint kick resulting in Jason Saab crossing. Despite the effort from the Wests Tigers they fell short 22-16.
Late in the game Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic left the field with a groin injury.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
2 – Api Koroisau (Tigers)
1 – Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
