'Poor': Rookie's 'brain fluff' stuns Cronk, Meninga

League legend Cooper Cronk believes Tigers youngster Samuela Fainu cost his side dearly when he was sin-binned for a bizarre brain fade during the team’s loss to the Broncos.

Winger Corey Oates caught a horrible Aidan Sezer kick on the full in the in-goal, resulting in a 20-metre restart.

As Oates attempted to get back to the 20-metre line, Fainu tackled him with referee Grant Atkins given no choice but to put him in the sin bin.

LIVE: NRL Saturday updates and news

Fainu’s act came with Brisbane leading 4-0 in the first half. Jock Madden then scored in the following set to make it 10-0.

“It was extraordinary. I’ve never seen that in my life,” league great Mal Meninga said at half-time on Fox League.

“It’s funny but it’s poor,” Cronk added.

“If you don’t know the rules and you’re playing first grade and you cost your team, that’s a bad choice. It’s a brain fluff.”

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

It wasn’t the only costly moment for the Tigers with Apisai Koroisau denied a try by the Bunker in the 26th minute.

The hooker was originally awarded a try after he stretched out his hand and put the ball down.

However, the slightest separation was revealed in the replay, leading to the Bunker overturning the decision.

Cronk believes it should’ve been four points to the Tigers.

“I think it’s a try. He does a great job to get there and it does come away, there is separation from Api’s hand here, but what else is he meant to do?” he said.

“… He actually loses a little bit of separation but gets it back on before planting it back down.”

The agony continued for the Tigers, with Reece Walsh scoring on half-time to make it 16-0.

Reece Walsh salutes after one of his tries.

Brisbane went on a rampage in the second half, scoring three unanswered tries through Madden, Walsh and Payne Haas.

The Tigers eventually got themselves on the board with Charlie Staines scoring a double.

Brisbane’s 34-10 win could have come at a cost with Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh failing to finish the match after limping heavily in the final exchanges. Madden also left the field with a pectoral complaint.

Koroisau couldn’t finish the game either with a cork in his back.

Kotoni Staggs and Stefano Utoikamanu were also put on report during the match.