NRL LIVE: Tigers race to early lead after 'bizarre with a capital B ...
The Wests Tigers jump to an lead the Canberra Raiders 42-18 after 67 minutes at Campbelltown Stadium.
After three minutes, Jahream Bula lost the ball on a kick return and Canberra look certain to score on the next set. The Raiders shifted it to the left through Ethan Strange, only for the five-eighth’s pass to find the hands of Brent Naden.
MATCH CENTRE: Scores, stats, SuperCoach points and more!
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.
Naden ran 60-odd metres before Xavier Savage dragged him down, only for Lachie Galvin to score the first try of his NRL career on the next tackle.
Speaking on commentary, Fox League’s Andrew Voss described the game’s opening few minutes as “a bizarre start with a capital B.”
Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
“This is crazy rugby league,” Voss said.
“What a moment for this kid (Galvin). He deadset looks 12. They have to check his age to go on rides at Luna Park.”
Eight minutes later 18-year-old debutant Luke Laulilii burrowed over for his first NRL try. This is some game.
After 26 minutes the Tigers had three tries ruled out and wouldn’t cross for another try until the 35th minute when Sione Fainu burst onto an Adam Doueihi pass, split the Canberra defence and scored.
Doueihi’s impressed on his first NRL game in well over a year, defending well against Matt Timoko and looking dangerous each time he touched the ball.
Amazingly, all three of the Tigers try scorers in the first half hadn’t scored until today.
Jordan Rapana slotted a penalty goal on half-time, giving Canberra a slim chance at turning this game around.
Young guns fire for Tigers early! | 01:19
This has been one of the greatest Tigers performances in recent memory, with Benji Marshall’s side showing no sign of slowing down in the second half.
They’d scored two tries in four minutes after the break after Lachlan Galvin crossed for his second of the night before Jahream Bula got in on the act.
Stefano Utoikamanu and Api Koroisau both scored before Alex Seyfarth was binned and Nick Cotric scored for Canberra to cut the deficit to 30.
Not long after, Kaeo Weekes sliced through a weak Tigers edge defence and scored to make it 42-18.
Catch all the action from the Tigers’ clash against the Raiders in our LIVE BLOG below! Can’t see the blog? Click here
