The Wests Tigers, jubilant one week, in crisis the next.

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MATCH CENTRE: Rabbitohs vs Tigers teams, scores, videos, updates

After the joy of smashing the Cowboys in their first game of the season, the black, white and golds came crashing back to earth on Saturday night after halves Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi both suffered injuries during their 20-16 loss to South Sydney.

Luai was forced from the field in the 67th minute of play after appearing to twist his knee while chasing a kick, while Doueihi succumbed to a hamstring issue in the 78th. At that point of Luai’s withdrawal, the scores were level at 16-all, but as marquee man limped his way up the Polytec Stadium tunnel, Alex Johnston sealed victory with his 214th premiership try.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Benji Marshall’s charges, who had fought back from a 12-0 deficit after eight minutes to lead 14-12 at halftime.

For the opening 35 minutes of the contest, the Tigers were a shadow of the side that demolished the Cowboys seven days earlier. Elementary errors gifted tries to Jye Gray and Jack Wighton.

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Then, in the 36th minute, the script suddenly flipped. Api Koroisau’s dummy half bust laid on a try for Samuela Fainu, before Moala Graham-Taufa’s bungled defusal of a Doueihi bomb resulted in Heamasi Makasini scoring just three minutes later.

Enter the bunker, who awarded an eight-point try after ruling Latrell Mitchell had hit Makasini high in the act of scoring, and the Tigers headed into the break two points ahead.

Both teams went set for set during the second term.

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Souths retook the lead in the 53rd minute when Johnson batted back Jamie Humphreys’ bomb to set up Mitchell, but Doueihi’s second penalty of the night levelled the scores at the hour-mark.

Luai’s injury seemed to deflate the Tigers. Jeral Skelton’s failure to defuse Cody Walker’s grubber set up Johnson’s match-winner, and despite having a glut of possession in the closing minutes, the rudderless Tigers were unable to close the gap.

Latrell Mitchell was a standout.Source: FOX SPORTS

WIGHTON SCHOOLS ROOKIE

Makasini may be the next big thing in rugby league, but he clearly still has a lot to learn. The 18-year-old had a torrid time against the Rabbitohs. His dropped ball 20 metres out from the Tigers’ line laid the foundation for Wighton’s 7th-minute try. In fact, the 33-year-old Wighton completely outplayed his opposite number both in attack and defence.

THE GREAT WALL OF REDFERN

Souths deserve a massive wrap for their defensive efforts. Midway through the first half, the Tigers had seven consecutive sets on the Rabbitohs’ line, yet somehow the red and greens held firm.

JUDICIARY WATCH

Latrell Mitchell was placed on report for high contact on Heamasi Makasini, and gave away an eight point try just before half time.

STAT ATTACK (Via Fox Lab)

– It was the Rabbitohs’ 10th win from 12 games against Wests Tigers since 2020.

– The Tigers made four linebreaks to three, had 53 percent possession and 45 tackles to 16 in the opposition 20.

– Fox Lab’s POTM was Jye Gray with one try, one try assist and made several last ditch tackles with the Tigers on the attack in the dying stages.

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TEAMS

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Latrell Siegwalt 22. Liam Le Blanc

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Jeral Skelton 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tristan Hope 19. Patrick Herbert