‘Massive problems’ for Benji as Tigers demolished in Sharks ‘training run’

Cronulla put the exclamation mark on a brutal week for the West Tigers with a thumping 52-10 victory at Shark Park on Sunday night.

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Just days after the Tigers announced they were losing their marquee man Jarome Luai to the PNG Chiefs, they put in their worst performance of the season.

The Sharks made the second-best defence in the competition look second rate as they ran in nine tries in front of a raucous home crowd.

Cronulla’s spine was on fire with all four of them setting up tries and backrower Teig Wilton and centre KL Iro both bagged hat-tricks as they ripped the Tigers’ right edge to shreds.

Benji Marshall’s side had been playing with a new resolve this season and came into the clash with the NRL’s second-best defence, conceding just 18 points per game.

The most points the Tigers had allowed before Sunday was just 22, but the floodgates opened as Cronulla No. 6 Braydon Trindall put on a playmaking clinic.

It was a particularly tough afternoon for Tigers rookie winger Faaletino Tavana, while halfback Adam Doueihi dislocated his shoulder in the first half and didn’t return.

LUAI’S WILD WEEK ENDS IN BELTING

Outgoing Wests Tigers superstar Jarome Luai set up his side’s first try and had a hand in the second in the 15th minute, but it was one-way traffic from there.

Luai announced during the week that he’d be leaving the club at the end of the next season to become the face of expansion side the PNG Chiefs.

The 29-year-old would have been determined to put the distraction behind him with a victory but it was a quiet performance from the Tigers skipper.

Luai finished with the try assist and 32 run metres from three carries, while making 12 tackles and missing two.

BLUES HOPEFUL INJURED

Wests Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi injured his shoulder in the process of scoring a try in the 10th minute and it could end his Origin hopes.

Doueihi went straight off and later confirmed his shoulder popped out but the medical staff were able to get it straight back in.

There has been recent talk of the 27-year-old earning a Blues debut this year given his versatility, but he now joins a long list of News South Welshmen in the casualty ward.

“His shoulder dislocated and they put it back in, so he’ll get a scan tomorrow,” Marshall said of Doueihi in his post match press conference.

“I’m unsure of the time, but we’ve had a couple of those, so it’s probably around four weeks, maybe six.

“Samuela has a foot issue, so he’s gonna get a scan tomorrow, so not sure on that one.”

HORROR AFTERNOON FOR YOUNG GUN

Benji Marshall made a late change promoting Faaletino Tavana to the starting side and the Sharks wasted no time targeting the young winger under the high ball.

Tavana dropped two bombs in the first four minutes and the second led to the opening try of the match.

But it wasn’t just the sun wreaking havoc on the 21-year-old who made his third error in the 19th minute running off his own line, which led to another Cronulla try.

Tavana was playing in just his third NRL game after making his debut last month and his horror night ended with five errors to his name.

Starford To’a also had a game to forget as the Tigers’ right edge struggled all night and let in seven tries.

“The right edge of the Tigers defence would be wondering what the hell is going on?” Greg Alexander said on Fox League, comparing the second half to a “training run” for Cronulla.

FOX LAB STATS

– First time in Sharks history they have scored 50 points or more twice in a season (50-10 v Titans in rd1)

– Sharks fourth win of the season – all by 12 points or more. Sharks only team this year to have every game decided by double figures.

– Sharks second biggest win against Tigers (58-6 in 2024). Sharks 3rd 30+ win against them since 2021. Sharks biggest win against any opponent since late in 2024 (44-0 v Titans)

– Tigers biggest loss, lowest score and most points conceded this season. Biggest loss since 64-0 v Storm in round 10 last season. No team has won the competition conceding 50 points in a match.

– Sharks finished the match with 60 percent possession, 42/48 completions (88%), and 47 tackles to 12 in the opposition 20

– Adam Doueihi dislocated his right shoulder scoring the Wests Tigers opening try in the 10th minute.

– KL Iro backed up his hattrick last week with another this week. First player to score consecutive trebles for the Sharks. Just his third match with multiple tries.

– Teig Wilton scored the first hattrick of his career. His only previous double was in 2024.

Fox Lab POTM – Braydon Trindall assisted an equal career best four tries, had one linebreak and forced three dropouts in the win. He now has 12 try assists in five games against Wests Tigers.

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