Wests Tigers sink to historic low after star’s unforgivable act

A Wests Tigers star was looking for a hole to crawl into after committing a cardinal sin that cost his side dearly on Monday.

Wests Tigers star's unforgivable act

The Wests Tigers almost produced a miracle comeback, but one star’s unforgivable act left them wallowing at 0-6.

After bringing the margin back to within two points, the Tigers had all the momentum with a little over five minutes on the clock.

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Things went south during an Eels line dropout with Charlie Staines fumbling the kick into touch and bringing an end to the momentum.

“Dropped by Staines over the sidelines. There’s a hole in his Easter showbag, Bertie Beetles have gone everywhere. What a moment, the poor old Tigers,” one Fox League commentator proclaimed.

The Eels capitalised as they went the other way with Maiko Sivo putting the final nail in the coffin to register the 28-22 victory.

It means the Tigers sink to 0-6 for the first time in the club’s history.

Mitch Moses showed why the Tigers were so desperate to bring him home after the Eels halfback set up four tries and nailed a clutch conversion to sink his former side who produced their most valiant performance of the year.

The news got worse for the Tigers during the game when five-eighth Adam Doueihi went down with a non-contact knee injury.

The club confirmed after the game they suspect the star has done his ACL, the third for his career.

It was a cruel ending for the Tigers and their diehard supporters who threatened a boycott a few days ago but would have been proud of what their club produced as they fell agonisingly short of replicating last year’s Easter miracle.

The Wests Tigers are 0-6 for the first time in the club's history.#NRLTigersEels#NRLpic.twitter.com/kABaQ5IYSa

— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) April 10, 2023

They endured the week from hell after a huge loss in Brisbane was followed by a jersey gaffe which heaped pressure on the board, but the Tigers showed grit with a performance that will give their fans some hope for the rest of the year.

They didn’t get the result they were looking for, but Tigers fans got something that has eluded them for most of the season with their team showing the effort all supporters expect every week.

There was a chance things would turn really ugly when the Eels skipped out to a 22-6 lead in the second half, but the winless Tigers never panicked and produced their best 30 minutes of the season after five weeks of pain.

Junior Tupou was outstanding on the left wing and overcame a shocking moment in the first half to score to make it 22-20, only for Api Koroisau to push the conversion attempt wide with his first shot at goal in six years.

Sivo ends the comeback. Picture: NRL Photos

The result is just what the blue and gold brigade needed after a brutal start to the year against five of the top teams, and you get the sense they’re about to go on a bit of a run especially if their halfback stays this hot.

Playing against the team he left in 2017, Moses laid on three tries with his trusty right boot in the opening 40 minutes, including a stunning set play that saw halves partner Dylan Brown scoop up the Steeden to set up Clint Gutherson for the opener.

He wasn’t as dominant after the break but still added to his tally with a peach of a pass for Sivo to crash over in the left corner before he nailed a kick that put them up by eight after the Fijian crashed over for his second.

– with Russell Gould, NCA Newswire

Originally published as Wests Tigers sink to historic low after star’s unforgivable act