Latu Fainu Shines as Tigers Roar Past Roosters in Crucial NRL Clash
It was one of those games where you could feel the tension pulsing through every tackle, every kick, and every pause. The Wests Tigers, under immense pressure and surrounded by off-field noise, walked into Allianz Stadium looking for more than just a win — they were chasing redemption. And thanks to a fearless 20-year-old in the No.7 jersey, they got just that.
Latu Fainu delivered the kind of performance fans dream of and coaches hope for. In just his fourth appearance as halfback, he played like a seasoned pro, leading the Tigers to a gutsy 30-28 victory over the Sydney Roosters. It wasn’t just the scoreboard that lit up — it was the hope in the hearts of the Tigers faithful and the relief washing over coach Benji Marshall.
Marshall, who's faced a wave of criticism in recent weeks, paced the sideline like a man with everything to prove. And while the Roosters came hard and late, the Tigers showed the grit and belief that’s often been missing in recent years. With co-captains Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau watching from the stands, the young Fainu brothers — Latu, Samuela, and Sione — made their presence felt early, powering the team to a stunning 20-0 lead in the first half hour.
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But this wasn’t going to be easy. The Roosters, even without five Origin stars, refused to fold. Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase clawed their team back into the contest, and as James Tedesco dived across in the dying stages, every Tigers supporter held their breath.
Still, the defining moment came not from the Roosters' last-gasp effort, but from a cool-headed Adam Doueihi slotting a penalty in the 77th minute — a moment made possible by Fainu’s relentless creativity and vision throughout the match.
After the siren, Marshall wasn’t shy. He pushed back against the critics who accused the club of letting young talent walk, clarifying that the likes of Galvin and Da Silva left by choice. “We want guys who want to be here,” he said. And right now, that includes the electric Fainu trio and a young core that’s finally beginning to take shape.
Fainu’s growth was undeniable — from breaking the Roosters’ line with a dazzling first-half try, to orchestrating a slick move that set up his brother Samuela, his fingerprints were all over this win. Even as the Tigers stumbled under pressure late, they showed enough steel to hold on, giving fans something to believe in again.
“We were cruising, and then we let them back in,” Marshall admitted. “I’m not happy with just this. I want next week too.”
So do we, Benji. So do we.
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