West Tigers star Samuela Fainu breaks silence on controversial ‘khawd’ try celebration

Wests Tigers star Samuela Fainu has spoken out on his controversial ‘khawd’ try celebration, insisting the hand gesture was used in a “playful manner” and not intended to cause harm.

Fatima Kdouh and Brent Read

2 min read

August 7, 2025 - 9:06AM

News Sport Network

Tigers

Don't miss out on the headlines from Tigers. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Wests Tigers star Samuela Fainu has broken his silence over the controversial ‘khawd’ try celebration, insisting it wasn’t used in a derogatory context.

Fainu was one of three players, including Latu Fainu and Brent Naden, to use the ‘khawd’ hand gesture after the backrower scored a try in last Sunday’s emotionally charged victory over former teammate Lachlan Galvin’s Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium.

The Arab hand gesture used with the word ‘khawd’, which literally translates to ‘take that’, has historically had offensive connotations and taken to mean ‘up yours’.

But the hand gesture is now commonly used by younger generations of Arab Australians in a more lighthearted, even endearing, nature.

A ribbing between mates.

Fainu said he has a genuine affection for the middle-eastern community having grown up in south west Sydney, which is home to a large Lebanese population.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 03: Samuela Fainu of the Wests Tigers (R) celebrates scoring a try with teammates during the round 22 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium, on August 03, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

“The hand gesture I made on Sunday was never intended to hurt or cause harm,” Fainu said.

“It’s something I’ve always shared as light-hearted banter with my friends and even my own brothers.

“We’ve done it in a playful manner for years even over a card game, it’s just a part of how we joke around with each other.

“I’ve got a lot of Arabic friends as I’ve grown up with them and have embraced their culture, some of my closest mates, even my agent is Lebanese, I love them.”

Fainu also has three Lebanese teammates at the Tigers including playmaker Adam Doueihi, forward Alex Twal and rookie Tony Sukkar.

Before kick-off in last Sunday’s clash, Canterbury star Jacob Kiraz was seen throwing an affectionate ‘khawd’ hand symbol at Doueihi after he spotted his fellow Lebanese international from across the ground during warm-ups.

On Wednesday morning, the NRL issued the Tigers with a warning in relation to the on-field conduct of players in last Sunday’s clash.

But the governing body reserved its strongest action for centre Brent Naden given his missive on social media, which was accompanied by some X-rated language towards the Bulldogs.

It is understood Naden is facing a small fine after he used the Arabic gesture in a social media video following the club’s win over Canterbury on Sunday night.

Wests Tigers player Brent Naden in a video on social media.

The NRL opted not to publicise the size of the fine, although it is understood it was at the lower end of the scale.

Naden has five days to respond to the breach notice.

In a statement announcing their sanctions, the NRL acknowledged that her action of the players ‘caused, or had the potential to cause, offence to members of the NRL community’.