‘Just insane’: Wests Tigers ‘impossible’ comeback ruined in wild scenes

The Wests Tigers have almost pulled off one of the most remarkable victories, scoring three tries in four minutes before a controversial ending.

The difference between winning and losing. Photo: Fox Sports

If you want to know how important a sin bin is to a team, the Wests Tigers have shown just how crucial it is.

Although the Tigers lost a heartbreaking 20-19 clash against the Canberra Raiders, the game was limping to a dour 18-0 Raiders win when Canberra’s Tom Starling was sin binned after repeated six agains with 12 minutes remaining.

“Now that makes things a little interesting,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

The thing is Ginnane didn’t know how right he was.

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Less than a minute later, Jahream Bula scored the Tigers’ first try, running a straight line off a cross-field run from Tommy Talau.

A minute later a Luke Brooks line break put the Tigers in field position before John Bateman ran out of dummy half to score next to the post.

With all the ball, the Tigers kept running downhill, scoring the very next set through Brandon Wakeham.

“In the space of four minutes, the Tigers have turned an 18-0 deficit into what will be a tied ball game — can you believe it?” Ginnane screamed.

On Channel 9, Phil Gould said: “This is just insane, rugby league is just insane.”

But it didn’t end there as Luke Brooks slotted a 30m field goal from the next set.

“They were down 18-0 with 11 to go — impossible, impossible. They lead 19-18 and there’s still four and a half to go. Incredible,” Ginnane said.

Wild scenes in Campbelltown. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

What a kick from Brooks. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The problem for the Tigers was that there were still four and a half to go.

The following kick-off was short and came off the Tigers hands, giving the Raiders a play the ball from 30m out from the Tigers line.

At the end of the Jamal Fogarty, who had scored two tries off his own kicks, missed a field goal.

But as Tigers second rower Isaiah Papali’i came in to charge down the kick, his momentum took him into the legs of Fogarty to make dangerous contact.

Gould said: “Dear oh dear, he was going for the ball. It was just an accident.”

“You couldn't write this stuff,” he added.

Andrew Johns said that if it was dry, Papali’i would have bounced but the dewy conditions saw him slide into Fogarty’s legs.

On Fox League, Shane Flanagan said: “You’ve got to put pressure on the Canberra Raiders players having a shot at field goal but you can’t come in contact with the lower legs of the kicker.

“It’s such a tough game and it’s such a fine line.”

Greg Alexander said that while he felt for Papali’i, he shouldn’t have contacted the legs.

“Fogarty moves his legs backwards to make it look less dangerous and it looks like he hit the ground just before he hit Jamal Fogarty,” Alexander said.

“But if Jamal Fogarty doesn’t move that kicking leg backwards a bit, he almost breaks his leg.

“If I’m a Tiger, I’m filthy at that play.”

Papali’i was going for the charge down. Photo: Fox Sports

Tigers fans claimed they were robbed. Photo: Fox Sports

Fogarty made no mistake, slotting the goal to give the Raiders the 20-19 lead.

While the Tigers had one more shot on the final play, Brooks slid as he kicked, sending the ball under the posts.

In the Tigers press conference, Tim Sheens refused to talk about the deciding moment, saying: “I’ll make my comments to the referees but I’ve got some issues for sure.”

Api Koroisau said: “I guess it’s the game these days”. But he added that it was “unlucky” as Papali’i slid.

Even Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said: “I feel sorry for the poor bugger because he was only doing his best for his team.”

The win sees the Raiders move to equal top of the NRL ladder in fifth alongside the Panthers, Sharks, Broncos and Storm, although they all have games to play this weekend.

It’s another close but no cigar result for the Tigers, who remain in 15th on the ladder.