WESTS TIGERS 36 GOLD COAST TITANS 28
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Leichhardt Oval, Sunday
CAPTAIN Jarome Luai led Wests to victory in their final match at Leichhardt Oval before its redevelopment.
The historic venue is set for a AU$40 million revamp, with the Tigers to return in 2028.
A packed house saw a hugely dramatic encounter as Benji Marshall’s side, a week on from being thrashed by Penrith, twice came from behind.
Luai scored a second-half hat-trick including the two decisive tries in the final ten minutes, which Gold Coast started four points ahead.
Gifted the first of that late double when Titans winger Jensen Taumoepeau inadvertently knocked the ball into the in-goal, Luai then sensationally stepped past numerous defenders to cross under the posts.
Despite being 12-0 in front after half an hour through Starford To’a and Taylan May tries, plus the first two of six Jock Madden goals, Wests trailed 18-12 by the break.
Jayden Campbell, Kurtis Morrin and Arama Hau got the Titans’ tries but all three were created by brilliant breaks by fullback Keano Kini.
Beau Fermor strolled through poor Tigers defence to put Gold Coast twelve points clear before Laui sparked the fightback by surging through a gap.
Alex Seyfarth barged over to level before Titans winger Phillip Sami dived into the corner to leave Wests needing Luai’s heroics.
TIGERS: 1 Jahream Bula, 2 Sunia Turuva, 3 Taylan May, 4 Starford To’a, 17 Patrick Herbert, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Jock Madden, 8 Terrell May, 21 Josese Lanyon, 16 Bunty Afoa, 12 Kai Pearce-Paul, 13 Sione Fainu, 15 Alex Seyfarth. Subs: 9 Latu Fainu, 10 Fonua Pole, 11 Tony Sukkar, 18 Mavrik Geyer (not used), 19 Charlie Murray (not used), 20 Luke Laulilii (not used)
Tries: To’a (13), Taylan May (27), Luai (48, 71, 80), Seyfarth (54); Goals: Madden 6/6
TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Jensen Taumoepeau, 3 Jaylan De Groot, 4 AJ Brimson, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Jayden Campbell, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Oliver Pascoe, 10 Klese Haas, 11 Arama Hau, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Cooper Bai. Subs: 14 Kurtis Morrin, 15 Josh Patston, Jett Liu, 17 Adam Christensen (not used), 18 Luke Sommerton (not used), 19 Max Feagai (not used)
Tries: Campbell (31), Morrin (35), Hau (37), Fermor (43), Sami (61); Goals: Campbell 4/5
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-6, 12-12, 12-18; 12-24, 18-24, 24-24, 24-28, 30-28, 36-28
Rugby Laaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Tigers: Jarome Luai; Titans: Keano Kini
Penalty count: 4-1; Half-time: 12-18; Referee: Wyatt Raymond; Attendance: 17,773