Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles are also dealing with somewhat of a freefall as well with concerns raised as the finals approach. <\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n
Read below for all the biggest talking points after Round 19!<\/p>\n
\u2018UGLY\u2019 FEAR FOR TIGERS AFTER BIG LUAI CALL<\/p>\n
At one point they looked an outside chance of finishing inside the top four, but the Tigers have since fallen off a cliff and there is one major \u201cconcern\u201d surrounding Jarome Luai\u2019s impending exit.<\/p>\n
The Tigers\u2019 confidence has completely evaporated after they slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat, with their promising start to the season now a distant memory.<\/p>\n
After emerging victorious in five of their opening seven matches, they have now lost eight of their past ten and are almost certain to miss finals football for a 15th consecutive season.<\/p>\n
Their dramatic slide of form has seen the club\u2019s belief that underpinned their early-season success seemingly disappear each passing week.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Fox League\u2019s Friday Night Football post-match show, Michael Ennis said the Tigers’ confidence had disappeared after an encouraging start to this year\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n
This saw the former NRL dummy-half state the side was no longer playing with the same instinct and freedom that helped them surge to the top of the ladder in the early stages of 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rules changed dramatically at the start of the year and it just suited their athleticism, their instincitivenss,\u201d Ennis said<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could tell from the innovation of their coach that they were building and building.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow it\u2019s just dropped off and the confidence has just fallen away. Confidence has just eroded, unfortunately for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eels eye one year deal for Luai | 02:42<\/p>\n
Australian Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters also pointed out the uncertainty surrounding Luai\u2019s future as another factor impacting the Tigers confidence and form.<\/p>\n
Walters believes that his contract situation has created an unwanted distraction for both Luai and the club ever since he agreed to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028.<\/p>\n
It has since been confirmed by the Tigers that he will depart at the end of this season after being granted permission to explore opportunities elsewhere as the joint venture towards their attention towards the future<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s look at Jarome Luai for instance. He\u2019s been told that he can look for another club. That\u2019s not a great motivator for him either,\u201d Walters added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know he\u2019s a professional but if a club\u2019s telling him we want to get rid of you at the end of the year and you\u2019re up for sale.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a nice feeling inside to think he\u2019s not committed enough to them because there\u2019s another year on his contract before he can actually go and play for the Chiefs. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a nice situation for the club or Jarome to be in and nobody wins out of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tigers are struggling.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
Premiership-winning five-eighth Luke Keary, meanwhile, revealed the big \u201cconcern\u201d he has surrounding Luai\u2019s decision for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concern I have and this will come out in the next two to four weeks, there\u2019ll be players in that team that are pro-Jarome and there\u2019ll players in that team that are against him,\u201d Keary said on Triple M on Friday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the guys that are pro-Jarome will be absolutely filthy at what\u2019s going on and it\u2019s already turned provocative with him (Luai) going to social media posting stuff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat to me sounds like it\u2019s ugly and I think there\u2019ll be guys in there that aren\u2019t happy with what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there\u2019ll be some guys that are against him that thought probably what he\u2019s done and how he\u2019s signed with PNG and the things that he\u2019s said in the past have come back to bite.<\/p>\n
\u201cPNG have openly said, \u2018He\u2019s going to be our best marketing tool\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m a club, and he\u2019s at my club, he\u2019s talking to players about coming to PNG, that\u2019s not happening in my changing room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
It was a similar message from former Tigers captain Aaron Woods, who said it could lead to an \u201cunhappy environment\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m concerned about the group of Wests Tigers men, where they sit with what\u2019s happening,\u201d Woods also said on Triple M.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know to (Sunia) Turuva is a really close mate of his (Luai) and that the May (Terrell and Taylan) brothers, they basically went there (because of him).<\/p>\n
\u201cHe (Terrell May) was in Samoa camp with Luai, that\u2019s how he got him to the West Tigers, when he got released from the Roosters.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of these young kids coming through, the Makasinis \u2026 they look up to him (Luai) and to see him just get told he can look elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201c \u2026 I\u2019ve been in groups before, where it\u2019s happened, it can be an unhappy environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Greg Alexander warned the scrutiny surrounding the Tigers would only increase as they losing streak continues.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the stories will continue circling around as this continues. That\u2019s four losses in a row,\u201d Alexander continued. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey were beaten by the Dragons last week, they weren\u2019t great. They were easily the second-best side even though they were still in it 70 minutes in. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think their draw\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Host Yvonne Sampson added, \u201cIt feels like the Tigers are once in this holding pattern with no clear direction forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the Jarome Luai thing will play out over the next few weeks but disappointing for the Wests Tigers in a season that began with so much promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benji tight lipped on Luai future | 00:46<\/p>\n
FISH UNLOCKED AS WAHS AIM FOR TITLE<\/p>\n
The New Zealand Warriors forward pack continues to emerge as one of the biggest weapons in their push for a maiden NRL premiership.<\/p>\n
Currently sitting in second place on the ladder \u2013 only behind the Penrith Panthers \u2013 the Warriors have built their success around a dominant middle unit and it is starting to pay dividends.<\/p>\n
At the heart of the pack is skipper James Fisher-Harris, who has arguably been playing some of the best football of his career since making the move back to New Zealand from the Panthers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe set the tone. Obviously missed a month with that calf injury, but he was devastating in that opening 15 minutes,\u201d Michael Ennis said on Fox League\u2019s Friday Night Football post-show.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot just the influence and leadership that he brings but also the form. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe returned tonight and it was noticeable when he was on there and it was noticeable when he wasn\u2019t on there. He was outstanding tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
James Fisher-Harris had a big game. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Not only has the veteran front-rower provided a great physical presence on the field through the middle but is playing a different style of football which has taken his game to new heights.<\/p>\n
He has also combined beautifully with 2025 Dally M Lock of the Year Erin Clark with the duo continually damaging the opposition through the middle.<\/p>\n
\u201cJames going back to New Zealand was for a lot of reasons \u2026 but on the field he has been in great form,\u201d former Panthers half Greg Alexander added.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight he showed that again. He\u2019s forming a very good combination, too, with Erin Clark. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think Fish is running the ball better now than when he was at Penrith. I think he\u2019s added something. He\u2019s going well and that\u2019s great for the Warriors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under strength Warriors smash Tigers | 02:51<\/p>\n
This has seen Fisher-Harris become an even greater attacking threat with the Warriors unlocking another layer to his game.<\/p>\n
For example, using him in a variety of different roles rather than just simply relying on his powerful one-out carries.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard not to agree and the way they\u2019re using him, he\u2019s not just carrying the ball one out,\u201d Ennis agreed with the comments made<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s times he\u2019s getting a little wider or they\u2019re using him on the short pass. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s mixed his game up, which is good and the different variety that the Warriors have is the one thing they have in the pack \u2013 different body shapes and they bring different things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wayde Egan impressed. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The post-match panel also highlighted the influence of the hooker rotation at the club, with both Wayde Egan and Samuel Healey showing the value of their one-two punch combination.<\/p>\n
The pair\u2019s contrasting skill sets have given the side a major advantage around the ruck throughout the entire 80 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two number nines, how good are they (and) both got tries tonight as well,\u201d Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters said.<\/p>\n
Michael Ennis added, \u201cThat combination that they\u2019ve got is (amazing). <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got the craftiness, ruck control and deception of Egan. He just moves and manipulates the ruck and rolls the forwards (along). <\/p>\n
\u201cThen just when you think the foot might come off the pedal, Healey comes on and just goes. All of a sudden, (he) tires defensive lines, and it\u2019s good to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Warriors keep on rolling under Webster | 04:38<\/p>\n
PHINS REALITY CHECK \u2026 TAKE TWO<\/p>\n
Losing by 66 points is a disaster for any team.<\/p>\n
But if there\u2019s one club that has shown they can bounce back, it\u2019s the Dolphins \u2014 and you only need to cast your mind back to Round 5.<\/p>\n
In Kieran Foran\u2019s debut as a head coach, he travelled to Kayo Stadium to face a Dolphins side who had just beat the Sharks 38-10.<\/p>\n
The Sea Eagles proceeded to pile on 52 points in a big win, which should have been the last time Kristian Woolf was staring down the barrel of a half century of points conceded.<\/p>\n
After that clash, the Dolphins went down to the Panthers in golden point in a valiant display, then took the Warriors to the wire before beating the Storm the following week.<\/p>\n
That win kicked off an eight-game winning streak that had many predicting the Dolphins to compete for the title, sitting alongside the Warriors and Panthers as the genuine title threats.<\/p>\n
A one-point loss to the Knights in Round 18 was a tough pill to swallow, but what came next against Cronulla was impossible to predict.<\/p>\n
So can the Dolphins bounce back? Yes, they have already proven they can \u2014 but it\u2019s not a position Tom Gilbert wanted his side to be in.<\/p>\n
\u201dIt was embarrassing last time and it\u2019s probably more embarrassing now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a real emphasis on making sure those performances don\u2019t happen again, let alone happen here. We are sorry for our fans, especially our Redcliffe fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing for them as it is disappointing for us \u2026 we will bounce back, but we have to address a few things in the short term.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said we are just embarrassed for that performance now and yeah, we just apologise to our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Not sure where that came from’ | 03:17<\/p>\n
Yes, the Dolphins were without a host of Origin stars and Isaiya Katoa, who is expected to return in Round 22 or Round 23.<\/p>\n
But the 17th franchise\u2019s biggest issues still remains, and that\u2019s consistency.<\/p>\n
One week the Dolphins look unbeatable and the next they concede 66 points, and even Kristian Woolf was lost for words after their latest outing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not much to say,\u201d Woolf said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously weren\u2019t ready to play a tough game of footy tonight and that showed.\u201d<\/p>\n
When pressed on whether he could put into words how that display emerged, Woolf replied: \u201cNo I can\u2019t, to be honest. I thought our preparation was good. We\u2019ve been great for 11 weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019m not quite sure where that came from tonight \u2026 I haven\u2019t seen (fatigue), certainly didn\u2019t think that before the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
So while a maiden finals appearance is still in reach \u2014 the Dolphins now have to manufacture yet another monumental bounce back.<\/p>\n
\u2018PLAY LIKE TOOPS\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to play like Toops\u201d.<\/p>\n
Saturday night marked a special occasion for the Roosters who celebrated Daniel Tupou\u2019s 300th game with a win over the Eels.<\/p>\n
Tupou has been one of rugby league\u2019s most reliable performers since his debut in 2012 and is a genuine legend of the game.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old is renowned as a humble, generous and warm-hearted person and on the field he is able to deliver some remarkable skills, especially when it comes to his aerial threat.<\/p>\n
So ahead of their Round 19 clash, head coach Trent Robinson employed an interesting tactic in his team chat.<\/p>\n
\u201dSo the first bit, we talked about how we wanted to play on Monday and then I asked Tups (Tupou) to leave the room and get some physio,\u201d Robinson said on Fox League.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked about what are the traits of Daniel Tupou, how does he play the game and how does that relate to you.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how we wanted to start the week, that was our main game plan tonight was what are the traits that he does in a game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel Tupou scored a hat-trick in his milestone match.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
That then saw the likes of Victor Radley and Spencer Leniu deliver strong performances \u2014 all because they harnessed Tupou\u2019s attitude.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte, when they came back on the momentum shifted. Spenny came off and he just said \u2018I had to\u2019,\u201d Robinson explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thanked him for his game and he just said \u2018I had to play like Tups\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t always go that way, you can\u2019t always set up milestones like that but it did effect some of those senior players tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Specific \u2018mantras\u2019 that embody what a team want to achieve are consistently employed by coaches in the NRL.<\/p>\n
Ivan Cleary has been renowned as a big advocate of having a team mantra, especially during his side\u2019s stretch of four premierships.<\/p>\n
So have the Roosters found theirs?<\/p>\n
\u2018Play like Tupou\u2019.<\/p>\n
Simple, but effective as evidenced by the Tricolours performance against the Eels, having conceded an early try in the second half to trail 6-4.<\/p>\n
The Roosters then went on to score four tries, three of which came through the milestone man who showcased his try-scoring abilities.<\/p>\n
While that was a contest the Roosters were considered heavy favourites to win, they also secured two competition points without some crucial Origin stars who were rested.<\/p>\n
Throw James Tedesco and Sam Walker back into the mix, with their new mentality, and the Roosters could make a serious title charge.<\/p>\n
Chooks celebrate Tupou 300 in style | 02:48<\/p>\n
SEA EAGLES SLIP FROM THE EIGHT AS FORAN RUES ILL-DISCIPLINE<\/p>\n
It has been a fortress for Kieran Foran\u2019s men all season, but not even the magical Brookvale Oval could help the Sea Eagles in a golden-point thriller against the Cowboys on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Manly suffered their first home defeat under Foran against North Queensland, after Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater nailed a 32-metre field goal in the 82nd minute.<\/p>\n
That was despite Manly taking a 14-6 lead into halftime.<\/p>\n
Now, Foran says it is discipline that will become a focus as they plot a big turnaround against the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should have managed the game better in the second half \u2026 one positive play quickly followed up by one negative play. There\u2019s no real genuine consistency in how we manage the second half. That\u2019s really disappointing,\u201d Foran said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe effort, the grit and determination is there every week but we\u2019re putting too much pressure on both sides of the footy either through ill-discipline \u2013 there\u2019s a lot of tackle-four, tackle-five leg outs at the moment and we\u2019re just not managing how we want to play footy at times.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sea Eagles are on the slide. (Photo by Jason McCawley\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Manly\u2019s lack of discipline wasn\u2019t helped by injuries, with Ben Trbojevic taken off with a failed HIA early in the first half and Corey Waddell leaving the field late in the half with an ankle injury \u2013 thought to be syndesmosis, according to Foran.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be easy to use the injuries as an excuse, and say we were without two players,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fox League\u2019s Bryan Fletcher said Manly\u2019s most noticeable player missing in action was Luke Brookes following his season-ending ruptured ACL last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cA couple of weeks ago, Manly posisitiong themselves inside the top four and now they\u2019re out of the eight,\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cKieran Foran was saying a couple of weeks ago that he\u2019s worried about a few defensive issues. I think they\u2019ve come off the pace a little bit and I think it\u2019s got to do with Luke Brooks, he was having a good season especially in defence. I think they\u2019re missing experience on the left side there.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Manly captain Tom Trbojevic, the performance didn\u2019t reflect the Sea Eagle\u2019s true potential. He said the focus now would be returning to winning and making a play once again for the top eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m definitely confident in this footy side. We know when we play well we compete with the best,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just not managing 80 minutes of football and it\u2019s disappointing. We put ourselves in a position to win at home and I just thought we let it go. It\u2019s a tough one to take, but we\u2019ve got to take it and we\u2019ve got to back it up next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
STICKY REVEALS RECIPE FOR HUDSON YOUNG\u2019S SUCCESS<\/p>\n
NRL coaches will often do everything they can to guard players from outside distractions, but Raiders mentor Ricky Stuart has found the opposite is true with star backrower Hudson Young.<\/p>\n
The prolific 28-year-old is arguably in the form of his life, fresh from starring in the Blues thrilling Origin series win over Queensland, and again playing a part in the Raiders\u2019 40-16 thrashing of Canterbury on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Stuart is well-known for his close relationships with players, and believes Young is such a student of rugby league that he actually invites some outside hobbies to break up his weeks between games.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got such high energy. He\u2019s probably one of the most dedicated players to a game,\u201d Stuart told ABC Grandstand on Sunday .<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just eats and sleeps rugby league \u2013 probably too much, where sometimes I\u2019ve asked him to go away and find a bit of a passion. I\u2019m glad he\u2019s got his business in Young Supplements because it takes his mind off it a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cOtherwise it\u2019s rugby league 24 hours a day, and it can weigh too heavily in regards to you mentally if your focus on football, football, football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hudson Young. (Photo by Chris Hyde\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Young backed up from a terrific Origin campaign \u2013 in which he dished up three high-energy 80-minute performances \u2013 with 12 runs, 84 metres, three tackle busts and 16 tackles in limited minutes against Canterbury.<\/p>\n
He will be a key chess piece for Canberra as they plot a run towards from the NRL finals. The Raiders sit in 12th on the NRL ladder, three wins outside the top eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is really, really dedicated to the game, and he just loves it,\u201d Stuart said. \u201cHe loves rugby league, he loves to hear about the old stories from the earlier days and the older preparations in camps.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited for him, the fact he puts so much care and hunger into wanting to be that player, both in Origin and in club duties.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Matty Johns, the Raiders\u2019 form against the Bulldogs didn\u2019t reflect their current ranking on the ladder.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s puzzling with where the Raiders are given the talent in this team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bryan Fletcher added: \u201cWhen they play with confidence they are very hard to stop. I was happy for Ethan Sanders and I\u2019m glad he had a good game. The Dogs were out-enthused and out-muscled. Raiders were making 60 or 70 metres every set.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Tigers are in turmoil once again after the club essentially told skipper Jarome Luai he could walk…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":522831,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[111,139,69,213],"class_list":["post-522830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=522830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/522831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=522830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=522830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=522830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}