The Wests Tigers have been defeated 56-10 on the road to the Canberra Raiders in Round 21 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
It was a brisk afternoon at GIO Stadium, the backdrop for a first-grade debut for Javon Andrews – who became WT #312 – starting at half back. The match also saw the return of Junior Tupou, who made his first start on the wing since re-signing with the Club in July.
The hosts got on the board first through Jed Stuart, before the Tigers quickly returned serve through Ethan Roberts – who crossed for his first try in the top grade.
The Raiders had most of the running through the remainder of the first half with tries to Sanders, Strange and Weekes. Tino Tavana pulled one back for the Tigers just before half time, courtesy of a tidy ball from Jahream Bula to put him into space.
It was more of the same in the second half, with Dane Laurie crossing for three tries, as the Raiders ran away with the win.
The Wests Tigers will next face the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, 2 August.
The moments:
7th minute: Jed Stuart has the first try of the afternoon as he leaps above Tino Tavana to bring down an Ethan Sanders bomb and dive over in the corner. Sanders fails to convert. Raiders 4-0
12th minute: Terrell May offloads for Api Koroisau who turns it under to Ethan Roberts who powers through the Canberra defence to score under the posts. Koroisau converts. Tigers 6-4
16th minute: Ethan Sanders breaks the line in midfield and dummies his way past Jahream Bula to score. Sanders converts his own try. Raiders 10-6
21st minute: Ethan Strange takes the ball 10m out and beats the Tigers defence to dive over the line. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 16-6
25th minute: Javon Andrews' bomb is spilt backwards by Xavier Savage, the ball is picked up by Simi Sasagi who unloads to Kaeo Weekes who races 70 metres to score. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 22-6
33rd minute: Ethan Roberts is penalised for an obstruction as the Tigers threatened on the right edge and the Raiders make them pay as they quickly get the ball to their right edge, with Xavier Savage racing away for Canberra's fifth try of the day. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 28-6
37th minute: Tino Tavana pulls one back courtesy of a superb long ball from Jahream Bula to put the winger away. That's four tries in seven NRL games for Tavana. The conversion attempt from Api Koroisau is wide. Raiders 28-10
52nd minute: On the back of a pair of six-again calls the Raiders grab another try as Daine Laurie powers over to score adjacent to the posts. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 34-10
61st minute: Daine Laurie grabs a second try as he dances around several players and gets the ball down with three defenders trying to deny him. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 40-10
70th minute: Ethan Sanders lobs a pass over the top for Jed Stuart to cruise into the corner to complete his double. Sanders adds the extras from the sideline. Raiders 52-10
77th minute: Matt Timoko gets in on the action as Ethan Sanders again delivers the final pass. Raiders 56-10
What they said:
NRL Head Coach, Benji Marshall
"It's a tough week for everyone and even tougher after that result.
"We're going through a tough time. Everyone who is involved with us is going through a bit of hurt. We've just got to keep fighting, keep pushing, stick together and get through and find a way.
"We've got another week where we've got to try and get it right again.
"I'm proud of Javon, would've been a tough week for him to. He's just turned 19-years-old, playing in the halves. He did some really good things, he's still got a lot to learn – the first game of many. He held his own out there."
