James Tedesco masterclass leads Wests Tigers to thumping 34-18 win over Rabbitohs

THE Tigers could not have dreamt of a better start to their season as James Tedesco turned on a masterclass in a thumping 34-18 win over Souths.

IT was the night that celebrated the charging rise of one superstar, and sadly humiliated another.

The young Wests Tigers could not have dreamt of a better start to their 2017 NRL season as the flying James Tedesco turned on a masterclass in a thumping 34-18 win over the Rabbitohs.

But on a night the Bunnies would want to forget, Greg Inglis was forced to hobble through an embarrassing 50-minute spell after injuring his troublesome knee early in the first half.

Chasing through on a kick in just the 8th minute of the match, Inglis was wrong-footed by Tedesco and appeared to get his left knee caught in the turf before he came up clutching in pain.

At that point it looked as though there way no way he would stay on the field. But incredibly he was forced to stay out there until the 58th minute.

By that point Tigers teenage rookie Moses Suli had stepped past Inglis for his second try on debut to celebrate a night he will never forget.

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Chris Lawrence celebrates a try with his Tigers teammates.

The fact Inglis stayed on the field for as long as he did was an immense show of courage.

On several occasions Inglis appeared to signal to the sideline that he was no good but the Rabbitohs chose not to replace him.

In fairness, Michael Maguire had little choice after Hymel Hunt was forced off with concussion midway through the first half.

But when Inglis finally limped from the field in the 58th minute the there wasn’t a person at the ground who didn’t feel sympathy for the champion fullback.

The sympathy continued the next day when the worst was confirmed with Inglis now sidelined for up to six months with a busted ACL.

Greg Inglis was hampered by a knee injury. Picture: Brett Costello

Incredibly, Inglis had a hand in both the Rabbitohs’s first-half tries as they went to the break trailing 18-8.

Inglis laid on the first try of the match for Bryson Goodwin with a lovely ball and then in the countdown to the break he hobbled after a Cody Walker crossfield kick to score in the corner.

But in between it was all the Tigers, with Tedesco leading the charge. They did everything at speed, cutting the Rabbitohs to shreds through the ruck and with speed to burn on the edges they were running amok.

Suli found himself marking up on a one-legged Inglis for most of the first half and as sad as it was it also marked the arrival of another young talent.

Suli stepped past the legend to put a rampaging Seumanufagai over in the 13th minute.

Tedesco’s next try was a beauty.

Bouncing like a pinball, Tedesco went around and through four defenders in a show of speed, skill and strength that included pushing through big Sam Burgess for the touchdown.

James Tedesco scored a superb try for the Wests Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello

Tedesco also showed his class when he laid on Chris Lawrence’s try in the 25th minute with a beautiful flat ball to push the lead out to 18-4.

The young Tigers were in their element with Souths constantly on the back foot.

Who knows went on in the South Sydney dressing rooms at half-time.

But when Inglis returned for the second half it’s fair to say everyone outside the Rabbitohs’ inner sanctum was in a state of disbelief.

Not that the Tigers gave them any sympathy.

Tedesco’s lighting speed ignited another raid just two minutes into the second half when he opened a hole for the flying David Nofoaluma before Mitchell Moses finished off a length of the field screamer.

It was wonderful to watch.

Mitchell Moses takes on the Rabbitohs defence. Picture: Brett Costello

Tedesco set up another cracker Brooks finished off before Suli bagged his first NRL try when he stepped past Inglis.

The Rabbitohs scored two late tries to put some respectability back in the scoreboard with Goodwin collecting a hat-trick.

But the magnitude of the defeat could be felt for some time to come as Rabbitohs fans crossed their fingers in hope that Inglis’ injury is not severe.

WESTS TIGERS 34 (L Brooks C Lawrence M Moses S Sue M Suli J Tedesco tries M Moses 5 goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 18 (B Goodwin 3 G Inglis tries B Goodwin goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Chris James, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 16,976.