Michael Cheika, the former Wallabies coach and now coach of the Lebanese rugby league team – was unimpressed when he watched the celebrations. Cheika is of Lebanese descent, and cousins with Tigers’ utility Adam Doueihi.

“I was pretty shocked when I was watching the game and saw what was going on after that try – I knew what was going on straight away,” Cheika said on Monday.

“It was very culturally insensitive. They knew what it meant because there are Lebanese players in the team. And they chose to do it in front of kids. They were playing so well, they should have been celebrating with their teammates, not abusing people in the crowd.

“It’s a pretty offensive gesture in our culture. It’s not cool. The best way to get into the opposition supporters is by doing it on the scoreboard.

“Considering one of the main shows was at Alex Twal’s house during the week, filming a Lebanese barbecue, and promoting the culture and the game, and then to do that … unfortunately, it was ignorant, and I didn’t like it.”

The Tigers produced an inspired performance to knock off the Bulldogs in the match dubbed the “Lachlan Galvin Cup” following the Bulldogs halfback’s mid-season defection from the joint-venture club.

This masthead contacted Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson for comment on Monday morning.

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