The only thing Jahream Bula butchered on Saturday night were the words to the Wests Tigers’ team song that had not been sung in forever.
The rookie fullback has quickly become a fan favourite – and can now even count Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary as an admirer.
Bula played a huge role in Saturday night’s upset of the year over premiers Penrith in wet and wild conditions in Bathurst.
It was the Tigers’ first win of the year and their first victory in 273 days.
Bula sheepishly told this masthead he was literally lost for words when it came to singing the team song, and he had to “mumble the whole time”.
The 21-year-old held his nerve under countless Cleary bombs in the rain, especially late in the second half when tensions were high, threw a pass for David Nofoaluma’s 100th career try, forced a dropout, and came up with a try-saving hit on Cleary nearing the hour mark.
Jahream Bula gets an offload away against Nathan Cleary’s Panthers.Credit: NRL Photos
Cleary cringed when reminded about the incident.
“He did well; it was ugly [from me],” Cleary said.
“I relaxed and thought I would slide over in the wet. But he tackled me well and the ball spurted out. It was a good tackle. I should have held the ball.
“He’s a good player, and he’s definitely built for first grade. He came up with a good pass for their try as well. He has a lot of confidence.”
Nathan Cleary spills the ball after Jahream Bula’s try-saving tackle on Saturday night.Credit: Getty
Bula said he simply put his body on the line, and was grateful to come up with the tackle.
In just his second game in the NRL, Bula, a former basketball star, said he was still getting used to the physicality and getting dragged backwards when carting the ball up, while coach Tim Sheens simply wanted him to keep trying to support the forwards around the ruck.
Not since James Tedesco departed the club at the end of 2017 have the Tigers been able to settle on a regular No.1. But Bula already looks like the long-term solution to the all-important role.
Some at the Tigers remain convinced had Bula been available for selection from round one, the club would have won two or three more games because of his fitness and ability to cover ground at the back. He was only upgraded from a development contract and became free to play in the top flight a fortnight ago.
Even Luke Brooks, who was arguably the best on ground against the Panthers, loved Bula and said: “To be in your second game, and knowing Cleary has one of the best kicking games in the NRL … he stood under them and got us out of trouble. He’s a great young kid with a big future.”
Popular Tigers forward Chris Heighington walked past Brooks as he was being interviewed at Carrington Park and told the media: “You can’t bag him tonight, boys.”
The off-contract Brooks laughed, but said it was important he back up his five-star showing against St George Illawarra at Magic Round next Sunday.
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