Wearing the No.7 jersey for the fourth time in his young career, whenever Fainu went to the line, things happened.
Most impressively, when the Roosters were on the comeback trail and a 20-0 lead was cut in half by the end of the opening 40.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall looks on from the sideline.Credit: Getty Images
It was halves partner Doueihi who threw the last pass for Samuela Fainu to crash over and ease Marshallโs heart rate as he paced up and down. But it was Latuโs trickery in holding up the Roosters defence a moment earlier that truly set up the try.
Coming after Fainu had already contributed a runaway first-half four-pointer, it was a telling play. When Sione twisted, turned and trampled his way through the Roosters starting back-row to join his brother on the scoresheet, it was nothing but Tigers and Marshall was simply out for a Sunday stroll.
With co-captains Luai and Api Koroisau watching on from the stands, though, the feeling was it wouldnโt last. And the Roosters, shorn of five Origin stars themselves, made good on the promise of a comeback.
Daniel Tupou flew high for the type of try heโs been scoring his entire career. Rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase made something out of nothing to cross as well right on halftime. Heโs only half a season into his own NRL career, but this is already the former Wallabyโs calling card.
Mark Nawaqanitawase powers over.Credit: Getty Images
Samuela Fainuโs try was answered in the 55th minute by Hugo Savala finishing a break down the right edge.
The tension only mounted as the Tigers dropped high balls but dodged bullets as Roosters fumbles were found as well. Their goal-line defence shoved some promising raids into touch and stopped others just short of the line.
All the while, Marshall paced. When the Tigers got a sniff of the Roostersโ line, Latu took a crack down the short-side from close range. Samuela ended up forcing a repeat set with a grubber and the skill of his younger brother.
The resulting set was a complete mess and Marshall could only watch in horror. A penny for his thoughts โ though you surely couldnโt repeat them โ when Nawaqanitawase muscled over for his second, closely followed by Tedescoโs late try.
For once, though, with a new playmaking prodigy the centre of attention, the tale of the Tigers finished happily.
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