Lightning has struck twice for the Wests Tigers, stunning the South Sydney Rabbitohs thanks to a final minute field goal from Luke Brooks.
A helter skelter second half saw multiple lead changes, and a series of missed field goals – including one hilarious attempt from Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow – before the newly-unleashed No.6 slotted the winner.
Brooks scored a strange long range try after a pass from Lachlan Ilias went to ground – which had given the Tigers a late lead before Keaon Koloamatangi, who was outstanding throughout, put the Rabbitohs level.
AS IT HAPPENED: NRL Saturday night, round seven
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After a couple of long-range efforts from Jackson Hastings had sailed wide, he turned organiser on the final set, directing traffic brilliantly before his halves partner provided the finishing touch.
It came after a bizarre incident on the previous set, where Damien Cook had charged the ball down and regathered, only for a brilliant refereeing call to intervene, saying that the chargedown had grazed another Rabbitoh, who was accidentally offside.
Souths challenged given there was only two minutes left, but the call was proven right – and a strange game, as those between the Rabbitohs and Tigers often are, came to an end shortly after.
Michael Maguire has gone from a dead man walking to suddenly stringing together back-to-back wins against sides that were considered among the competition’s elite at the start of the season.
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They have a great chance to make it three in a row next week against the Dragons, while Souths will look to avenge their round one loss against the Broncos.
The Rabbitohs finished with 15 players after losing Hame Sele to a concussion and Jacob Host to a dislocated shoulder.
The former came in a brutal collision with former Rabbitoh Zane Musgrove, as Sele got his head in the wrong spot and was sent flying after it hit Musgrove’s hip off a kick return.
The Tigers will be without gun fullback Daine Laurie for a few weeks due to a suspected MCL issue, but it will be an easier pill to swallow after a victory.