Wests Tigers proved there is still life at Leichhardt Oval, defeating Cronulla 32-6 in their first game of the season.
In the same week that questions were raised about the historic venue’s survival, 15,990 people jammed into the so-called “eighth wonder of the world” to see an Apisai Koroisau workshop.
Fighting a gastro illness in the lead-up to the game, the ill-looking Tigers hooker set up two tries before departing the field to a standing ovation with 13 minutes remaining.
“That’s the standard we’ve set,” Coach Benji Marshall stated.
“He’s not good, but Api would have played anyhow.
“He wouldn’t want a big deal made of it, but it’s a big effort from him.”
Justin Olam also demonstrated his ability to be a threat at left center, scoring a try and breaking six tackles in his first game for the Tigers since joining from Melbourne.
The previously unbeaten Sharks delivered one of their poorest performances in recent memory, suffering their equal-fourth defeat under Craig Fitzgibbon.
Cronulla completed at 68%, but halfback Nicho Hynes had a poor night, missing seven tackles, dropping the ball twice, throwing an intercept, and kicking out on the full.
The Sharks’ problems worsened when bench prop Royce Hunt injured his calf while warming up on the sideline.
Dale Finucane (concussion) and Toby Rudolf (ankle) were also injured, leaving Cronulla’s pack stretched for Easter Sunday’s match against Canberra.
“You get what you’re given, with enthusiasm, attitude or whatever,” Fitzgibbon went on to say.
“When two teams compete, you can’t be the one who continually turning the ball over while looking for points and a sensation.
“They just kept a real simple style on us and that’s what we’ve been doing to teams the last couple of weeks.”
The Tigers were all in for Marshall’s debut game as coach at Leichhardt Oval, which was packed with fans.
The Tigers won more games last year, but this was by far their best complete performance in a long time.
Marshall’s team offloaded 14 times and broke 34 tackles, but they maintained possession and were compact on defense.
After Cronulla scored first through Tom Hazelton, the Tigers opened the scoring when Solomona Faataape batted back a weak Aidan Sezer kick for Isaiah Papali’i to cross.
Alex Seyfarth was the next to arrive when Koroisau went short of him from a close distance.
All the while, the Sharks’ faults were killing them.
Just before halftime, a Jesse Ramien offload dropped to ground, and when Hynes failed to dive for it, Koroisau pounced.
Koroisau was able to stick his nose in and knock over a charging Olam in the 38th minute.
Another Sharks blunder led to the Tigers’ first try after the break.
When Cronulla failed to tidy up a Sezer kick and Braydon Trindall botched his own in-goal, Jahream Bula was there to take advantage.
The Tigers fullback scored again late on, charging through Cronulla’s right-edge defence after a Siosifa Talakai drop.
The Tigers’ victory increased their lead in their last two games at Leichhardt to 98-24, following their thrashing of North Queensland at the same venue last year.
“I 100% want more games here,” Koroisau stated.
“This is wonderful. Just hearing them get behind our backs. Hearing the roar, you feel energized.
“It’s hard to put into words, but the atmosphere drives the energy of the players.”
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