Fox Sports activities presenter Darcie McDonald has criticized Wests Tigers gamers for his or her post-try ‘Claw’ celebration, calling it an ‘ick’ unsuitable for grown males.
McDonald’s Robust Objection
Throughout a current episode of The Fanatics podcast alongside former Fox star James Hooper and social media creator Brandon Savage, McDonald voiced her disapproval of the gesture popularized by winger Sunia Turuva at first of final season. The celebration includes gamers clenching their fingers into claws and pawing on the air.
‘I am unable to stand ‘The Claw’. That is an unpopular opinion, however it’s an ick,’ McDonald said. ‘When grown males are going [tiger roar expression and sound], I simply go nooooo. One thing about this, I am not digging.’
Followers Defend the Celebration
Quite a few rugby league supporters pushed again in opposition to McDonald’s view. One fan commented, ‘I am going to take the claw over saying the phrase ‘ick’ any day of the week.’ One other famous, ‘Think about hating on a crew that is lastly getting round one another and getting the followers concerned.’ Extra reactions included, ‘Are we watching the identical factor? As a result of I like it,’ and ‘Claws out child, ick away.’
Turuva’s Introduction and Tigers’ Turnaround
Turuva launched the ‘Claw’ early final season upon becoming a member of Wests Tigers from the profitable Penrith Panthers. The crew has surged in 2026, securing second place on the NRL ladder with 4 wins from their first 5 video games—a stark enchancment from current years after they ranked among the many league’s weakest.
Upcoming Problem and Cautious Optimism
Wests Tigers face the Brisbane Broncos at Campbelltown Stadium this weekend, aiming for his or her first four-game successful streak since 2012—a interval earlier than any present squad member debuted within the NRL. Hooker Api Koroisau stays grounded forward of spherical seven.
‘I do not know if it is a revival (but), we’re kind of simply on the market enjoying week-to-week and attempting to play some good footy,’ Koroisau mentioned.
The squad receives a serious raise from celebrity five-eighth Jarome Luai’s return from harm underneath coach Benji Marshall.
