Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings: Trial 2

A handful of big names and promising tyros stood up in Sydney against the Dolphins.

The Warriors completed their 2026 pre-season campaign with an encouraging 38-34 loss to a virtually full-strength Dolphins outfit at Leichhardt Oval.

A side without Round 1 certainties (if fit) James Fisher-Harris, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita, and frontline contenders Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Marata Niukore put on a polished attacking performance to lead 18-10 at halftime and 34-20 after an hour, before being run down with five minutes to go.

Defence appeared optional at times, but there was more to be positive about than not ahead of a huge season opener against Sydney Roosters on March 6.

Here’s your Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings for trial number two.

1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: A super-slick catch-and-pass try assist and try-saving tackle in the first half, a line-break and eight runs for 87 metres, along with nine tackles. Impressive. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A couple of all-too-familiar jams and three errors, including one horror hit-up knock-on. Bounced back with two tries – and one trademark diving finish – to go with seven runs for 74 metres. 5.5

3 ALI LEIATAUA: Warmed into the game in the second half with a try from close range and a try assist, finishing with eight runs for 76 metres. Poor day in defence, highlighted by a bad miss as Trai Fuller scored. 5.5

4 ADAM POMPEY: Nothing too much of note – seven runs for 48 metres, six tackles and a penalty. 5

5 HAIZYN MELLARS: Busiest of the Warriors’ back with 13 runs for 111 metres (47 post-contact), but looked lost in defence on a couple of occasions. 6

6 LUKE HANSON: Put his hand up for a potential debut with a line-break among four runs for 45 metres with three tackle-breaks. Made 14 tackles and had one handling error. 6

7 TANAH BOYD: More purpose this time around with 12 runs, a busy kicking display and a lovely hand in a try in each half. 6.5

8 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: The Napier standout stayed in the Round 1 frame with 14 runs for 149 metres and three tackle-breaks. 7

9 WAYDE EGAN: At his beguiling best in the first half, laying on the first try for Ford with some clever dummy-half work then taking the return pass from Gannon for the Warriors’ second. 7

10 JACKSON FORD: An eventful afternoon that included the first try of the match, a sin-bin for a hip drop that probably should have seen him miss the opening round, and a game-high 161 metres from 18 carries. 7.5

11 KURT CAPEWELL: Four runs for 41 metres, 11 tackles with four misses. Doesn’t really have much to prove at this time of the year and will be happy just getting the reps in. 5

12 JACOB LABAN: After a solid All Star outing, worked hard with 10 runs for 73 metres, three tackle-breaks and 20 tackles. Two handling errors were a slight downer. 6

13 ERIN CLARK: Great intent early on and racked up 83 metres on nine carries, along with 12 tackles (no misses). Encouraging to see a fair bit of passing, too. 6.5

14 SAM HEALEY: Had a line-break assist and was sound enough, but perhaps a little flat from the livewire – he really needs to take the game on to provide value. 5

15 MORGAN GANNON: A big statement after a patchy first-up outing in Napier. Had a line-break and the assist for Egan’s try, made 110 metres on 12 runs, showed glimpses of his passing game and made 18 tackles. 7

16 LEKA HALASIMA: Five runs for 51 metres with three tackle-breaks and 13 tackles. Looks like he’s holding back to explode from Round 1. 5.5

17 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: Topped the tackle count (22), climbed to take a bomb and score the Warriors’ last try and was one of only four players in his side to crack 100 running metres. Timely performance with the squeeze on for spots in the top 19. 7

18 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Underlined the value he can provide on attack with a slick try assist and an important hand in another four-pointer during the second half, while he racked up a game-high seven tackle-breaks among his nine runs for 85 metres. 7.5

21 KAYLISS FATIALOFA: Quiet outing for the fringe NRL debutant – two runs and eight tackles. 4.5

22 JACK THOMPSON: A second try assist in as many outings for the handy looking Newcastle product, putting up the bomb for EIT’s try. 5

23 MAKAIA TAFUA: Only a brief chance to shine for the South Island bred hooker, making one run and nine tackles. 4.5

24 MOTU PASIKALA: One run for the Napier standout, with an error. 4

25 SIO KALI: Three strong runs for 31 metres in limited time, but made an error. 4.5

26 CAELYS-PAUL PUTOKO: Made a break in the dying seconds, his second run of a cameo that included eight tackles. Something about him oozes future NRL player. 5

27 GERONIMO DOYLE: Three runs for the reliable fullback. 4.5

28 RODNEY TUIPULOTU-VEA: Three powerful hit-ups, a tackle-break and 10 tackles for the highly promising prop. 5

29 PAEA SIKUVEA: Two carries for 18 metres in a brief appearance for another likely star of the future. 4.5