Canterbury’s Lachlan Galvin gets the better of Jarome Luai in horror week for the Tigers
In what seems like an interminable week for the Wests Tigers, their previous five-eighth teams have been beaten by their current game.
Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin were not close at all when they wore the same colors, but no matter what, they connected them very much. Both make headlines, are better suited to the center role than halfback, and will leave Concord early in disgrace.
Luai became enraged for unknown reasons when asked about the Tigers’ legacy later in the week. Any chance of a final appearance was effectively eliminated by a 32-0 rout of Galvin-led Canterbury.
The Bulldogs left their opponents scoreless, but bad news came just before the match. In his first match since suffering a chest injury in the eighth round, Viliame Kikau limped off early.
This defeat, the Tigers’ 11th in a row at Accor Stadium, stung more than most. On a few occasions Luai touched the ball – there was little opportunity to do so given the Bulldogs’ significant possession advantage – to be met with some booing. It was unclear whether these were from Canterbury fans or his own.
Just a few years ago the Bulldogs came agonizingly close to securing Luai’s signature. This is the only Western Sydney club he won’t run from now.
Meanwhile, Galvin’s hand or foot was obtained in four attempts. Jethro Rinakama was the main beneficiary, making two passes down the left wing. While it wasn’t a flawless performance – some of Galvin’s passes to the back rowers were hospital-style passes – he looked more comfortable with natural halfback Sean O’Sulivan in him.
O’Sullivan fired off two 40-20s and took control just a day after the team was inspired by a visit from the Bulldogs’ greatest halfback, Steve “Turvey” Mortimer. This made the decision to give him an early shower a surprising one. His performance will give Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo a welcome headache when Stephen Crichton returns from injury.
The Tigers looked more threatening when Latu Fainu, who was thought to be Luai’s replacement, came off the bench. He soon returned after spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for a clumsy tackle on Leo Thompson. The normally mild-mannered Alex Twal joined Jaeman Salmon after giving him a clear slap. Twal was lucky he wasn’t sent away at the sound of a siren after finding himself in another fight.
If Fainu and Adam Doueihi (who were also included in the high tackle report) are suspended, we will get a look at the young scrum-half talent the Tigers have available sooner than expected.
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