Jarome Luai has helped give the Wests Tigers a fairytale send-off at Leichhardt Oval, scoring a second-half hat-trick against the Gold Coast Titans.
In front of a rapturous home crowd, it was co-captain Luai who stole the show, firing back with a spectacular individual display in the 36-28 win.
Jarome Luai celebrates his third try against the Titans. Getty
“The skipper with a hat-trick in the second half, he’s stamped his authority and look at them celebrate,” Phil Gould said on Nine.
The performance put to bed what Luai described as a “tough” period with criticism about his move to the PNG Chiefs coinciding with the Tigers’ poor form.
The match was the last at the club’s spiritual home ground until 2028, with long-overdue renovations set to begin in the coming months.
The hosts bounded out to an early lead with Starford To’a and Taylan May both scoring to put the Titans on high alert.
However, the celebratory mood was quickly dampened by a devastating injury blow to star back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul.
The forward was forced from the field after suffering an awkward pectoral injury which could sideline the English star for the rest of the season.
“I think every time someone grabs at them, they don’t often have to go for scans,” Brad Fittler said on Nine at half time.
“When they’ve done them (a pec injury), they’ve done them and that’s not good news for Kai Pearce-Paul or the Tigers.
“He’s one player who can attack and they can go to, to create something.”
Gold Coast surged into a 24-12 lead early in the second half, led by an absolute masterclass from fullback Keano Kini.
Kini set up three tries for Jayden Campbell, Kurtis Morrin, and Arama Hau, stunning the Leichhardt faithful and carrying a six-point lead into the break.
“Keano Kini … when he breaks through the line, he’s been through three or four times today,” Gould said on commentary.
“The way he surges, the way he moves, the way he commits defenders to him to give his support (to) players every chance. He’s been absolutely outstanding.
“Support play: 10 out of 10. They’re a good side, the Titans.”
But just when all hope looked lost, it was captain Luai that lifted the Tigers to a 36-28 victory to send an emotional goodbye to Leichhardt.
Sunday’s game was the final one at Leichhardt for the Tigers due to renovations. Cameron Spencer
“Good bounce back. Rollercoaster, but we got the job done for the fans,” a relieved Luai told Nine post-game.
“It was a weird one. We were down on the scoreboard – but that’s just the energy we felt from the crowd and the boys brought it home.
“It was thrilling for me. It’s been a tough couple of weeks. If we can play our brand of footy, we’re a tough team to beat.”