Alex Twal pulls off perfect crime as hilarious ‘1-on-1 steal’ has fans in stitches

Eagle-eyed NRL fans have been left in hysterics after Tigers forward Alex Twal executed one of the smoothest moves you’ll see on a footy field.

The Wests Tigers have suffered a sixth straight loss after falling 20-14 to the Newcastle Knights in Tamworth on Saturday afternoon.

It was never going to be a quick turnaround for the West Tigers after back-to-back wooden spoon seasons as Benji Marshall tries to instil a winning culture at the club.

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But while the Tigers have no doubt been better, another hard-fought loss is no easier to take for the fan base desperate for success for a club that hasn’t made the finals since 2011.

Finding a ruthless streak will be something the club needs and maybe one hilarious moment has revealed the Tigers are ready to do what it takes to be successful.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, Knights five-eighth Tyson Gamble succumbed to a foot injury.

Gamble was left on the ground and waved the trainer on as he struggled to his feet as Tiger Alex Twal stood at marker.

As Gamble struggled Twal made the most of the break in play, stealing the Knights trainer’s sticky spray and spraying it all over his hands before sliding it back into the trainer’s belt.

Twal with the effortless steal. Photo: Fox Sports

Twal with the sticky spray. Photo: Fox Sports

And got it back unseen. Photo: Fox Sports

As referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski came across to ask if Gamble would be able to stay on the field, he appeared to realise something was untoward, waving Twal away, who had already almost pulled off the perfect crime.

But social media caught it.

The NRL Roast shared the video and tweeted: “Alex Twal to be credited with a 1-on-1 steal for this.”

NRL blog The Cumberland Throw added: “Absolutely incredible.”

Sports reporter John Dean said: “Alex Twal just casually pinched some sticky spray from the Knights’ trainer.”

Actor Johnny Leary posted: “Twal pinching the spray from the Knights trainer, very cheeky.”

Another fan commented: “Alex Twal just took the spray from the Knights trainer and used it on his hands, then put it back in the Knights trainer’s belt. The Knights trainer went WTF.”

Another laughed: “Alex Twal taking the Newcastle trainer’s spray is so jokes.”

And by the time the trainer knew, Twal was halfway to the border. Photo: Fox Sports

And throughout all the comments, laughing emojis were sprinkled liberally.

But if the Tigers want to truly be ruthless, fan Sean Opie suggested: “Should have used it and then emptied it….”

At the time, the Tigers led 6-4 after scoring early before the Knights replied only after Wests fullback Jahream Bula was sin binned after stopping a line break and raking the ball.

The Knights scored once during the 10-minute man advantage but took an 8-6 lead at halftime after scoring through Enari Tuala in the set after Twal’s cheeky move.

The Knights pulled away early in the second half, scoring a 105m stunner when Bradman Best was put away down the touchline before passing back on the inside for David Armstrong to score under the posts.

The Tigers cut the lead back to four points after Isaiah Papali’i scored his second try but Best scored in the 63rd minute to push out the lead once again.

A last ditch try from Brent Naden cut the lead to six, but the Tigers couldn’t go the length of the field in the final minute, dropping a sixth straight game.

For the Knights on the other hand, it’s a third consecutive win and has the Novocastrians on the edge of the top eight.

Originally published as Alex Twal pulls off perfect crime as hilarious ‘1-on-1 steal’ has fans in stitches