Api Koroisau ‘trick’ play, sideline penalty steal one-point win for Wests Tigers

A remarkable passage of play masterminded by Api Koroisau has sealed a wild one-point victory for the struggling Wests Tigers.

Absolute scenes from Api Koroisau. Photo: Fox Sports.

A trick play and a clutch penalty kick by Api Koroisau stole a rare win for the Wests Tigers over the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon.

The Dolphins have faded in the second half of the season and they were well matched with the Tigers, who prevailed 24-23 to claim their first victory since May and keep their hopes of avoiding back-to-back wooden spoons alive.

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The two sides went try-for-try for much of the game until a field goal by Jamayne Isaako put the Dolphins up 23-22 in the 75th minute.

Taking on the role of halfback, Koroisau chipped the ball wide off the following kick-off straight to teammate Junior Tupou.

The Tigers were awarded a penalty after the Dolphins dragged Tupou towards the sideline after he had been grounded, and Koroisau stepped up to the plate.

Warren Smith said on Fox League: “Koroisau has produced tricks today. That was a beauty.”

Absolute scenes from Api Koroisau. Photo: Fox Sports.

The diminutive No. 9 put everything he had into the penalty kick from 30m out on the sideline and the ball just crept over after bouncing forwards off the crossbar.

The two-pointer put the Tigers in the lead in the dying stages and they held on for just their fourth win of the season.

Greg Alexander said Koroisau couldn’t have hit a better kick-off given the game scenario and said “fate was with the Tigers today”.

“We’ve seen all manner of short kicks, I’ve never seen one like that. Api Koroisau, the unorthodox hook on the ball, perfect,” Alexander said on Fox League.

“He has done it all this afternoon, Api Koroisau. He’s been striking the ball good, he’s been goalkicking for the last few weeks.

It was a rare win for the Tigers. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)

“In the circumstances, that is one of the best short kick-offs I’ve seen.

“Api Koroisau pulls out that kick-off after they went behind 23-22 from a Jamayne Isaako field goal and then he kicks that. Thirty metres out, on the sideline, gives it everything he’s got, it hits the crossbar.”

Koroisau was relieved his penalty had the legs to go over as the Tigers got the win in Benji Marshall’s first game in charge after officially taking the reigns from Tim Sheens.

“I’m just so glad it went over,” the hooker said.

“I thought it was a bit short for a second.”