Wests Tigers players Sunia Turuva and Samuela Fainu became involved in a heated exchange with Raiders hooker Tom Starling following the final whistle of the Tigers’ 33-14 victory at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday.
As most players were seen exchanging hugs and handshakes post-match, cameras captured Turuva and Starling engaged in a verbal dispute, tugging at each other’s jerseys before being pulled apart.
Fainu then grasped Starling by the jersey as players from both teams intervened to separate the two.
This confrontation may have stemmed from a penalty awarded to the Tigers in the first half, where Starling was penalised for high contact on Turuva, despite replays indicating the contact was minimal.
Following the penalty call from referee Ashley Klein, Turuva had words with Starling, before Tigers centre Taylan May intervened, playfully rubbing Starling’s head as players from both sides crowded the scene.
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The minor skirmish after the game was not addressed by Tigers coach Benji Marshall, who instead focused on the “inconsistency of officiating” after his captain Api Koroisau was put on report on two occasions.
Turuva, Fainu, and Starling post-match. Nine
While Tigers supporters had much to celebrate, particularly with halfback Adam Doueihi contributing 17 points in front of a packed crowd, Marshall was unable to overlook the contentious refereeing decisions, especially as Koroisau now faces potential suspension.
Koroisau was placed on report for an apparent hip-drop tackle on Noah Martin during the first half and a lifting tackle on Zac Hosking in the latter stages of the game.
The hip-drop incident in the 25th minute saw Koroisau sent to the sin bin after landing on Martin’s legs in a bid to prevent a try.
Having already been cited three times this season for dangerous contact offences, Koroisau risks a suspension.
His past charges this season include a hip-drop in round five, a dangerous contact charge for a cannonball tackle in round two, and a trip in round three.
Marshall acknowledged his side’s impressive defensive performance, which saw them keep the Raiders scoreless in the second half, but expressed frustration at the standard of officiating.
“I know it’s not the best time to mention it, but the inconsistency of the refereeing is really getting to me, to be honest,” Marshall remarked.
“We won, but some of the decisions were just baffling.”
On the question of Koroisau’s sin bin for the hip drop, Marshall added:
“I really don’t see what he was meant to do in that situation.
“Making a cover tackle from behind, he’s obviously going to land on the legs.
“What other option does he have? He’s coming from behind to make a tackle; that’s where he needs to go.”
Regarding Koroisau’s lifting tackle on Hosking, Marshall suggested he should have employed the captain’s challenge to contest the decision.
Despite the negative impact of the charges against Koroisau, Marshall was full of praise for halfback Doueihi, who scored two tries, kicked four goals, and added a late field goal to bolster his chances for selection in NSW’s squad for the opening series on May 27.
Before the game, Blues legend Andrew Johns advocated for Doueihi’s inclusion in the team due to his versatility.
Marshall supported this sentiment, affirming, “It was his best game in terms of impact, positioning, and his overall contribution to the team.”
“He set up others and positioned himself well, controlled the game and demonstrated an impressive kicking game.
“If Andrew Johns thinks he should be in, then he definitely should be.”
The Tigers will be on the road for the next two weeks, first facing the Sharks in Cronulla and then travelling to AAMI Park to take on Melbourne.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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