Wests Tigers end 273 DAYS wait for an NRL win as rugby league fighters FINALLY battle in appalling conditions to secure famous victory over reigning Prime Ministers Penrith Panthers
- Wests Tigers stunned Penrith Panthers at Bathurst
- The NRL fighters finally showed combat in appalling conditions
- Daily Mail Australia provides the latest international sports news
Much-maligned halfback Luke Brooks and ex-Panther Api Koroisau have teamed up to help the last-placed Wests Tigers pull off the biggest NRL attack in recent memory – a 12-8 defeat of two-time reigning Prime Ministers Penrith.
The win at Bathurst officially ends the previously winless Tigers’ losing streak after seven losses to start the season and five to end 2022.
It also increases the pressure on an admittedly understaffed Panthers side who have now started their premiership defense with four wins and four losses.
Penrith was stilted and error-prone in Saturday night’s torrential rain, but mostly fell victim to a polished Tigers side finally living up to this month’s potential.
Without his partner Adam Doueihi, who was injured, Brooks took on the challenge of putting the Tigers on a roll.
Wests Tigers have a famous victory over Penrith in treacherous conditions
Luke Brooks put in one of his best performances in a Tigers shirt for his side
The Tigers’ two tries both came straight after Brooks 40/20 kicks, the first of which was in the first set of the night.
After his first flawless kick, Brooks batted through the defense to give Brandon Wakeham the opening try of the night – all before the reigning Prime Ministers had touched the ball.
Hooker Koirisau played his best game since leaving the Panthers last year and was the Tigers’ mid-park general.
He came within inches of scoring a try from his own grubber in the first half and just after the break ripped through the defense on a line break that could have given the Tigers a second try had he had support.
The performance would not have gone unnoticed by NSW coach Brad Fittler, who will choose between Koroisau and Damien Cook when naming his team for State of Origin I.
But penalties cost the Tigers; they gave up three in eight minutes of the first half and after a high tackle from Brooks, the Panthers marched onto the field to score their lone try through Tyrone Peachey.
The Tigers did well avoiding points while center Brent Naden was in sin for laying a shoulder strike on Zac Hosking.
Penrith wanted to get to the top of the ladder, but was stunned by the wooden spoonbills
The ex-Panther had only just returned from a shoulder injury but can expect to spend more time on the sidelines.
At 12-8 Penrith looked to have equalized as Nathan Cleary burst through the defence, but the ball bounced out of his grasp in slippery conditions as rookie fullback Jahream Bula slid over in covering defence.
It was one of 11 errors for the Panthers, many of which came on good territory.
Referee Adam Gee pulled play back to sin-bin Penrith substitute Soni Luke for a hip-drop tackle on Alex Twal as the final ten minutes approached and the Tigers held on.
Injury continues to plague the Panthers’ center forward rotation, with Matt Eisenhuth set to join James Fisher-Harris and Spencer Leniu on the sideline after suffering a game-ending shoulder injury in the 15th minute.
