A Robbie Farah masterclass helps steer Wests Tigers to 34-6 win over New Zealand

For the first time in their history the Wests Tigers are top of the ladder and they have a wonderful Robbie Farah performance to thank after the veteran hooker orchestrated a 34-6 win over the Warriors.

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So where do Wests Tigers fit Josh Reynolds?

For on Sunday afternoon at Campbelltown Stadium, The Grub was everywhere.

Scoring tries.

Orchestrating more.

Everything really, but selling hot dogs outside the ground.

And still, he would somehow wind up second best story of the night behind Benjamin Button -- aka Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah.

Indeed, while Reynolds was outstanding for Western Suburbs reserves -- scoring two tries, setting up four, even having one more of his own disallowed -- it was Farah who earned top billing by continuing the Button theme that is undeniably his in 2019.

Is there a place for Reynolds at the Tigers? Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

Despite now being older than dirt, and enjoying farewell beers on Leichhardt Oval scoreboard an eternity ago, the Tigers No.9 not only set up three tries against the Warriors but then went and burrowed over late himself.

Put simply, a masterclass.

Elsewhere, fellow Old Boy Benji Marshall also kicked for a try, while halfback Luke Brooks found space around the edges and Moses Mbye, in his first game back at fullback, finished with five tackle breaks.

Oh yeah, Wests Tigers also wake today as NRL competition leaders for the first time ever in a regular season -- including their 2005 premiership year.

So again, where in all this do you fit Reynolds ... if at all?

THE GRUB

Playing his first full game since Round 5 last year, $3 million import Reynolds admitted to spewing in the Magpies sheds shortly before kick-off.

“And I never spew before a game,” he said.

Doubts?

“I’m not going to lie, I had a few,” he continued. “I never usually doubt myself but this week, I was thinking ‘s..., am I going to be able to do this?’.

“It’s a self confidence thing.

“But then two or three sets out there, something clicked ...”

Didn’t it what?

All of which leaves a wonderful headache for Tigers coach Michael Maguire.

Farah had another blinder. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

MADGE’S PICK

Maguire, who watched most of Reynolds’ game, praised the playmaker’s “special moments”.

“It’s what I’ve been saying all along, he just needs to get out and play,” the coach said. “Over time we’ll work out where we go”.

A bench spot?

“I’ll asses it this week,” Maguire added. “Obviously after a performance like that we’ll have to asses it but I was very impressed with the 17 that stepped out tonight.”

The Warriors were out of sorts all night. AAP Image/Steve Christo.

BENJAMIN BUTTON

While the Warriors had No.9 Isaac Luke mimic Farah at training all week in defensive drills, they had no answers when it mattered, with the Tigers rake throwing two blindside passes for tries and kicking for a third.

“Robbie understands this is his last season so he’s put a lot of time in during the pre-season preparing for this,” Maguire said. “And he’s showing that now.

“He’s in a really good headspace and enjoying his footy. He and Benji (Marshall) come to training laughing and smiling and they’re showing that on the field.”

HOODOO SMASHED

Despite losing seven of their past eight at Campbelltown Stadium, the Tigers rarely looked troubled against the Warriors. Unfortunately, constant rain kept the crowd to just 9881.

WESTS TIGERS 34 (C Thompson 2 M Chee Kam R Farah M Fonua R Jennings tries E Marsters 5 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 6 (K Maumalo try A Keighran goal) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Matt Noyen. Crowd: 9,881.