Instead of basking in a selection masterstroke, Michael Maguire deflected praise to Luke Brooks after the No.7 answered what the coach believed was unprecedented criticism to inspire Wests Tigers 36-18 NRL win over Newcastle on Friday night.
Tigers mentor Maguire was under the pump ahead of the NRL Magic Round opener at Suncorp Stadium after rolling the dice and moving form five-eighth Adam Doueihi to the centres and slotting Moses Mbye into the halves with the much maligned Brooks in a desperate search for just their third win of 2021.
But Tigers fans who were left scratching their heads and then shaking their fists over the gamble soon changed their tune as Doueihi and Mbye tore the Knights apart as the joint venture led 18-0 after 14 minutes and 24-4 by half-time on their way to a rare victory.
Five players who featured in the NRL's promotion for Magic Round have been ruled out of the weekend with Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga the latest star sidelined.
KNIGHTS BLOW: Kalyn Ponga Ruled Out for Magic Round
May 13, 2021
Kalyn Ponga’s been ruled out with a groin strain. Image: Newcastle Knights
Knights star Kalyn Ponga has been ruled out of Friday’s Magic Round clash against the Tigers with a groin strain.
The fullback suffered an adductor strain during Newcastle’s bout with the Raiders on Saturday.
The injury will keep Ponga off the field for two weeks, with Tex Hoy called in to replace him on Friday and again next week for Newcastle’s match with the Cowboys.
Ponga’s injury marks another major blow for the Knights, with halfback Mitchell Pearce still out after rupturing his pectoral muscle.
I had really high hopes for them - I thought they were a top eight side for sure. You just can t give up points like that - and on the back of the Mitchell Pearce injury, they just haven t recovered. And if they don t soon, the top eight are going to be in the distance.
A Blake Green injury will see yet another reshuffle in the halves this week for Adam O Brien s men, with either Tex Hoy or Phoenix Crossland set to take the No.7 jersey.
NRL Highlights: Roosters demolish the Knights in Newcastle - Round 8
The Knights started the year brightly with back-to-back wins, but have won just one of their last six - and even that was a nailbiter against the Sharks.