Tigers Tumbled: Sharks Smash Struggling Wests Tigers 58-6

The Wests Tigers suffered a devastating 58-6 defeat at the hands of the Sharks, as the absence of star playmaker Nicho Hynes proved to be no issue for the triumphant Sharks despite concerns earlier in the week. The Sharks, after a spell of poor form, delivered a spectacular performance to secure a dominant win over the struggling Tigers who also lost their skipper Api Koroisau to injury during the match.

The atmosphere at the Shire was electric as the Sharks showcased a remarkable team effort, with Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson stepping up admirably in the absence of Hynes. Trindall and Atkinson orchestrated a flawless attacking display, with Trindall even scoring a sublime solo try to cap off the Sharks’ emphatic victory. Jesse Colquhoun, a fan favorite, unfortunately, had to be assisted off the field after suffering a significant knee injury in his first game of the season.

The Sharks addressed their Achilles heel of slow starts by opening the game with an impressive display. Kayal Iro‘s early try in the second minute set the tone for the Sharks, with Solomona Faataape briefly responding for the Tigers before Ronaldo Mulitalo notched a quick try to regain control for the Sharks. This marked a significant improvement from their recent slow start woes, signaling a promising shift in their gameplay.

The Tigers faced a string of misfortunes, with Koroisau’s injury, two forwards sidelined due to head knocks, and a contentious sin bin decision involving Adam Gee that left Koroisau frustrated. Yvonne Sampson highlighted the Tigers’ discipline issues, noting that they have now accumulated a league-leading number of sin bin offenses this season, further compounding their woes.

The Sharks’ backline brilliance was on full display, particularly with Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo shining as they combined for five tries. Mulitalo secured his first career hat-trick, showcasing his attacking prowess, while Katoa’s two tries further highlighted the Sharks’ dominance. Katoa’s exceptional performance also underscored his remarkable record against the Tigers, with nine tries in the last five encounters against the struggling team.