Tapine terminates a Wests Tigers raid…
In a pulsating NRL clash, Canberra Raiders enforcer Joseph Tapine delivered a brutal defensive effort to shut down a late Wests Tigers surge, securing a gritty win for the Green Machine. With the Tigers threatening to snatch the lead in the final minutes, Tapine’s bone-rattling tackle on Isaiah Papali’i forced a crucial turnover just metres from the line.
Tapine, who was immense throughout the match, finished with 180 running metres, 34 tackles, and a try-saving effort that sealed Canberra’s 22-18 victory at GIO Stadium. His impact was felt across the park, but it was his late-game heroics that left fans and commentators alike singing his praises.
Wests Tigers had clawed their way back from a 16-point deficit, with Jahream Bula and Api Koroisau sparking life into their attack. However, Tapine’s defensive grit proved the difference, halting their momentum in its tracks.
“Joe’s been massive for us all year, but that was something else,” said Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead. “He just refuses to let games slip away.”
The result keeps Canberra’s finals hopes alive while leaving the Tigers searching for answers after another narrow loss. For Tapine, it was another reminder of why he’s one of the most feared forwards in the game.
