NRL 2021: David Nofoaluma says West Tigers deserved boos that rang out on Sunday
The walls are closing in at the Wests Tigers after a horror effort on Sunday which had their own supporters turning on them and coach Michael Maguire staying ominously silent.
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Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma says his side deserved to be booed off at halftime, describing Sunday’s shock 34-30 loss to the Cowboys as “embarrassing” and “terrible”.
Leichhardt Oval fans are some of the most passionate in the league, but the proud Tigers chant was replaced with a chorus of boos as the Tigers headed into the sheds down 28-6 against a team that had yet to taste victory in 2021.
“We’ve got such great fans, and we let them down,” a dejected Nofoaluma said.
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“They’re just passionate and they had every right to respond the way they did because we were poor in the first half, including myself.
“It was quite embarrassing to be honest. Our performance was terrible.”
Things turned around drastically in the second half when the hosts raced in three tries in six minutes, and in the end goalkicking was all that separated the teams.
What would Tommy think of this rabble? The Wests Tigers saved their worst for one of their most important days https://t.co/qp6QfcdXTP
— Brent Read (@brentread_7) April 12, 2021
However, the damage was done in the first 40 minutes as the Cowboys terrorised Nofoaluma and James Roberts, with North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi grabbing a brace.
“I thought I could have done a better job,” Nofoaluma conceded, highlighting one try when he planted his feet, allowing his rival to leap above him to score.
“I didn’t quite see their player (coming) and it’s my job to be aware and not let that happen. The reason I mentioned myself is because I’m a part of this team and the team was poor in the first half.
“That’s something that we need to look at because I can’t pinpoint what went so wrong.
“The past couple of weeks, our first halves have been poor and we’ve ended up chasing points. That’s what we need to solve, because those starts are disappointing.
“We’ve got to stop thinking about the outside world, and start focusing on ourselves because the only people who can turn things around and start winning games is us.”
Tamau as captain played total 28mins and sat on the bench for the remainder of the game.. no injury coach said “just the way it rolled†so who is leading the side and who are the players playing for at this rate with no captain on the field “leading� #weststigers
— Dean Pettit (@deanpet74) April 11, 2021
Coach Michael Maguire was lost for words in the post-match press conference, seemingly out of answers after his side’s fourth loss in five rounds.
The mood was similar in the sheds, which suggests a brutal week at training with changes to the 17 on the cards.
“He didn’t say anything at full-time, and usually he does because he’s a man of many words. He just had nothing to say, so that there sums up his feelings,” Nofoaluma said.
“We can’t do what we did in the first half again because this club deserves so much more.”
Tigers boss weighs in on Madge’s coaching future
- Phil Rothfield
The Wests Tigers have given an iron-clad guarantee that coach Michael Maguire’s job is safe.
After a terrible performance against the Cowboys on Sunday, chairman Lee Hagipantelis directed full blame at the playing group.
“There is no change of coach on our radar whatsoever,” Hagipantelis said.
“Madge has extended for two years. I don’t think the issue at our club is the coaching.
“Your patience can be tested but that first half performance on Sunday was all about effort and attitude.”
The Wests Tigers lost 34-30 and were booed off the paddock at half-time, trailing 28-6.
“This is something no administration has got control over,” Hagipantelis said.
“Once the boys cross that line and run onto the paddock they’ve got to do their jobs.
“We can’t run onto the field and neither can Madge.
“It’s not his job to make tackles and catch the football.
“I’m sure he’ll make the appropriate enquiries into why they played so poorly.
“We’ve got some cap space and when the appropriate opportunity comes up, we’ll be looking at it.”
After a terrible performance against the Cowboys on Sunday, chairman Lee Hagipantelis directed full blame at the playing group.
“There is no change of coach on our radar whatsoever,” Hagipantelis said.
“Madge has extended for two years. I don’t think the issue at our club is the coaching.
“Your patience can be tested but that first half performance on Sunday was all about effort and attitude.”
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
The Wests Tigers lost 34-30 and were booed off the paddock at half-time, trailing 28-6.
“This is something no administration has got control over,” Hagipantelis said.
“Once the boys cross that line and run onto the paddock they’ve got to do their jobs.
“We can’t run onto the field and neither can Madge.
“It’s not his job to make tackles and catch the football.
“I’m sure he’ll make the appropriate enquiries into why they played so poorly.
“We’ve got some cap space and when the appropriate opportunity comes up, we’ll be looking at it.”
Originally published as NRL 2021: David Nofoaluma says West Tigers deserved boos that rang out on Sunday
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