TERRIFIC TIGERS CLOBBER KNIGHTS
IT was a selection move previously described as madness but Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire’s positional switch of Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi ultimately proved to be a magical masterstroke.
The Tigers were scintillating in a 36-18 carveup of the Newcastle Knights in the Magic Round opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Mbye rediscovered his attacking mojo after being switched to five-eighth and Doueihi was unstoppable in the centres and toyed with feeble Knights defence as the Tigers raced to a 24-4 halftime lead.
“The decision to move Doueihi has proven to be sensational,” former Wests Tigers playmaker Braith Anasta enthused in Fox Sports commentary. All the Tigers key men were at their sensational attacking best with half Luke Brooks running the ball with freedom and fullback Daine Laurie chiming in as the perfect link man.
The carnage continued in the second stanza as the Tigers kept their foot on the throat. There was to be no miracle second half comeback for the Knights this week, with the loss of talisman Kalyn Ponga to a groin injury leaving a hole that replacement custodian Tex Hoy was unable to fill.
Tigers legend Ben Elias had labelled the side’s defence as “under 7s stuff” after the 36-28 loss to the Titans last week as league legend Gorden Tallis weighed in to criticise the club’s “soft underbelly”.
MANLY climbed into the top eight with a comfortable win against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The Sea Eagles scored eight tries in winning 50-6, with Jason Saab and in-form Tom Trbojevic each dotting down for a brace.
Jamayne Isaako scored the Broncos’ only points, converting his own try.