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Dodgy last minute try sinks Tigers

Krisnan Inu, the enigmatic centre, refutes claims that he was the Superman who salvaged the Warriors’ NRL campaign.

Inu’s last-minute try against the Wests Tigers sealed a 22-20 upset, sending the Auckland-based team into an unexpected preliminary final matchup with Melbourne next weekend, which significantly eased the pain of their humiliating week one finals defeat to Brisbane.

Having watched the chaos unfold at Suncorp Stadium as a spectator, Inu—like the Warriors—received a second chance due to the misfortunes of others.

Though he believed this opportunity might never arise, Inu sought to minimize his influence on a team that is now just 80 minutes away from a grand final appearance.

“My teammates understood what needed to be done and acknowledged they hadn’t played to their potential,” Inu remarked following the 40-10 loss to Brisbane.

“I wasn’t there to be the Superman saving the day; I just aimed to do my part.”

“Everyone recognized their responsibilities and strived to execute them well.”

Inu was a standout performer among many teammates, constantly posing a threat on the flanks for the visitors.

His comeback story is remarkable; the former Parramatta star had faced challenges in securing a permanent position within the Warriors lineup, often serving as a fill-in on the wing.

Inu only got his chance against the Tigers when Joel Moon sustained an ankle injury in the match against the Broncos…making him the sixth-choice centre under coach Ivan Cleary, behind Moon, Jerome Ropati, Shaun Berrigan, Lewis Brown, and Simon Mannering, and seizing this unexpected opportunity.

“At one stage, I did worry,” Inu admitted when asked if he feared he might never rejoin the side. “The team was performing well, and it seemed unwise to alter a successful formula, so I felt fortunate to get my chance. We’ve had a strong squad all year, and as you’ve mentioned, I’ve only played centre once or twice before. I was really thankful to be called upon again to fulfill my role for the boys. Ivan always encouraged NSW Cup players to stay prepared. He recognized the talent available throughout the club.”

And regarding the contentious touchdown with just 2:55 remaining against the Tigers, when a bomb descended into his area, was fumbled, and Inu managed not one, but two attempts to ground it?

“The ball went up, I tried my best to catch it, and luckily it landed in my hands. I knew it was six-again, so I went for the try,” Inu recounted. “I realized no one was defending me, so I just reached out with one hand and was fortunate to get the call in our favor.”

This is why Cleary felt confident in putting the talented yet inconsistent Inu into action for the Warriors’ most significant match of the season.

“I’m always reassured when Krisnan is involved in plays like that, as he’s probably the only player capable of executing something like that,” Cleary stated regarding the try.

This confidence resonates with his teammates as well.

“He’s a big-game performer…capable of pulling off remarkable plays, and when he had his chance to shine, he certainly made the most of it,” said backrower Feleti Mateo.

“I’m thrilled for him…hopefully, he continues this momentum into next week.”

by Terence Johns

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