NRL 2023: Daine Laurie angry at social media storm for ‘liking’ video of Broncos try

Wests Tigers fullback Daine Laurie is upset at being condemned for “liking” a video grab of a try scored by his side’s opponents at the weekend.

Daine Laurie and the offending like on Instagram.

Daine Laurie is angry at criticism he copped for a social media post – but a Tigers legend claimed the Wests Tigers fullback “didn’t think about the repercussions.”

Laurie is under fire after “liking” a video grab of a try scored by the opposition on Saturday night.

The Wests Tigers fullback praised Selwyn Cobbo’s spectacular 88-metre try after seizing a stray pass from Wests Tigers’ English import, John Bateman.

Strangely, Laurie liked the Cobbo try which was posted on the NRL’s Instagram account.

Friends claim Laurie is cranky at being condemned and is a friend of Cobbo.

Laurie’s manager, Matt Desira, spoke with The Daily Telegraph but did not provide a comment.

Garry Jack, a former Tigers fullback, didn’t censure Laurie but felt he made a poor choice given Wests Tigers’ 0-5 start to the season.

“It wasn’t a smart thing to do — he just didn’t think properly,” Jack said.

Daine Laurie and the offending like on Instagram.

“Daine didn’t think it through or think about the repercussions of liking something online.

“It’s just a perception thing, given he’s not playing first grade.

“He is entitled to his opinion and it’s not the worst thing anyone has done. I’m an older bloke but young blokes like things all the time.

“It seems like he’s not in the inner-sanctum at the club. Maybe there’s some stuff going on in the background, given he is playing second grade.

“There is some talk about Parramatta wanting some x-factor – maybe it’s him.”

The Cobbo try took Brisbane out to a 22-0 lead and, ultimately, a comfortable win.

Wests Tigers have lost all five games to start this season and are paying $4.30 for this Monday’s match against Parramatta ($1.22) at Accor Stadium.

The TAB has Wests Tigers at $151 to win the NRL grand final – the only team in triple figures. The Tigers are paying $13 to make the finals.

Laurie cannot secure a spot in the first grade team and played for Wests Magpies against the Warriors in a NSW Cup game on Sunday afternoon at Lidcombe Oval.

Daine Laurie for Penrith, celebrating in a Penrith jersey, and for the Tigers.

The drama comes after Laurie was embroiled in controversy last October after being pictured wearing a Panthers jumper during Penrith’s grand final celebrations.

Laurie later apologised.

Wests Tigers fans blew up at Laurie’s social media ‘like’.

One wrote: “It’s disgraceful, disloyal and shows his love of the club and teammates.”

Another posted: “Not really loyal.”

Wests Tigers face a tough draw which includes matches against Parramatta, (bye), Manly, Panthers, Dragons and Souths.

“There could be this trust factor where they don’t quite believe what Tim (Sheens, coach) or the coaching staff are telling them, to be really bluntly honest. (Or) they don’t want to play to that plan,” legend Mal Meninga told Fox League.

“They seem to be playing as individuals, whether that is belief in what they are actually doing or belief in each other. They have to find this commonality and togetherness.

“They don’t come out and work together, they don’t control possession and get to a kick, they don’t want to grind games out.

“Every time they make an error or get a penalty against them, they’re not a resilient side. As a group, they have to come out of it and find a way collectively to start winning football games.

Selwyn Cobbo strides away to score for the Broncos. Daine Laurie’s social media reaction to the try has caused a stir. Picture: NRL Images.

“’Sheensy’ is an excellent coach. I was coached by Tim Sheens for many years and he is a winner. He’s got Benji (Marshall) and Robbie Farah, they are winners as well. That little bit of winning has to rub off somehow.”

Wests Tigers have lost games to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canterbury and Melbourne over the opening five rounds.

“There are individuals playing in a team but they’re not on the same page,” said former premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk. “They are not in sync.

“Instead of worrying about the play itself, maybe the nuances, maybe the in-between stuff, in terms of a shift in attack near the tryline, every player in that shift, that play, has to be in exactly the right place at the exactly the right time to take advantage of the defence.

“(But) I’m not going to say absolutely not. There would be one player up ahead of the ball, two players back. They have some issues and need to work it out otherwise this momentum of pressure is going to continue for a long time.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Daine Laurie angry at social media storm for ‘liking’ video of Broncos try