Throwback Thursday: Wests Tigers vs South Sydney

With the Rabbitohs exiled from the competition, Wests Tigers had to wait until 2002 for the first chance to face off against their traditional foes in the cardinal and myrtle.

South Sydney won the first encounter between the two sides but the joint-venture would soon hit back in emphatic fashion, racking up fifty points for the first time in the club’s history.

Wingers Joel Caine and Hassan Saleh combined for three tries, but the hero of the afternoon was Kevin McGuinness.

Lining up in the centres, McGuinness became the first player to score four tries in a match for Wests Tigers - a feat only emulated by Marika Koroibete and Keith Lulia.

Tries to Ben Galea and Willie Manu saw Terry Lamb’s side reach the half-century, notching up a victory that remains the fifth largest in Wests Tigers history.

While Wests Tigers’ first victory against the Rabbitohs was certainly memorable, so too was their most recent victory just five weeks ago.

Six days after defeating the Eels by a single point at the same venue, Wests Tigers provided their fans with a moment of déjà vu in a wild clash at CommBank Stadium that saw five lead changes.

David Nofoaluma and Ken Maumalo scored first half tries to give their side a slender half time lead, but Alex Twal was soon sent to the sin bin and the home side surrendered their advantage.

Nofoaluma tied the match with a diving effort in the corner before Luke Brooks sent the home crowd into raptures with a seventy-metre intercept try.

When the Rabbitohs tied the game through Keaon Koloamatangi in the 71st minute, it appeared as though the game was destined for golden point.

However, after weeks of intense media scrutiny, five-eighth Luke Brooks stepped up to kick the match-winning field goal with just one minute left on the clock.

The win was the second of the season for Wests Tigers and came off the back of an impressive 95% completion rate.