TWL 2024 TRIAL 1: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS

A 12-man Warriors side showed plenty of heart in an 18-16 loss to Wests Tigers at a sold-out Rugby League Park in Christchurch. And although the first Kingz Container Crew player ratings of 2024 was dominated by one returning superstar, there were no shortage of standout individual performances as the heat gets applied for Round 1 berths.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Saved a couple of tries early on with his in-goal clean-up work. Nine runs for 61 metres and some classy touches in attack before being replaced at halftime. 6

2 SETU TU: Barely sighted for most of the first half before getting into the clear on the end of a crisp backline movement, then latched onto a Doyle grubber to score after returning for the last 20 minutes. Finished with 84 metres from nine runs to confirm his status as a solid back-up. 6

3 ALI LEIATAUA: Took the wrong player as Sezer finished off the Tigers’ second try. A few dangerous runs inside the Tigers’ half and nice hands to put Tu into space, but probably not enough to factor into Round 1 calculations just yet. Seven runs for 58 metres and 16 tackles. 5.5

4 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Gave a mouth-watering insight into how dangerous he could be in his new position with several increasingly threatening bursts on the left edge during the first half and almost put Montoya over with a slick catch-and-pass, then brought the house down with a sensational pick-up-and-dump tackle on a runaway Tiger. Rounded out the half with another driving tackle to force an error. Given an early mark with 23 minutes left after a magnificent 14-run, 133-metre contribution. How good to see a club legend and a Kiwis great back in our game. 8

5 MARCELO MONTOYA: The skipper took more than 20 minutes to take a carry but subsequently returned to his hard-running, big-fending ways. By the time he was replaced midway through the second stanza, he’d chewed up 101 metres on 12 runs with a game-high nine tackle-breaks. 7.5

6 CHANEL HAARIS-TAVITA: Put one kick out on the full but otherwise looked back at home in his first competitive outing in 18 months or so. Combined nicely on the left with Roger and threw one lovely pass over the top to put Montoya into space. 6

7 LUKE METCALF: Did the bulk of the kicking and was solid in that department, brought Laban inside him for the Warriors’ first try, but threw an intercept pass and put a pass down (one of two errors) when he looked certain to streak away for a try. Ten runs for 51 metres and 16 tackles. Not bad but would’ve like to see more authority in the No.7 – and from a player looking to beat out two high-quality rivals for the No.6. 6

8 BUNTY AFOA: A defensive dynamo with 24 bruising stops in his opening 28-minute stint, along with four runs for 40 metres. Got busy with the ball during his second shift to finish with 136 metres from a team-high 15 runs, as well as making it to a game-high 40 tackles. Staked a big claim for Round 1. 8

9 FREDDY LUSSICK: Misread on the line contributed to the Tigers’ opening try. Showed surprising pace on a superb 40-metre bust and was sound at dummy-half as usual, plus finished with 36 tackles before being replaced in the second stanza. Gave away a couple of penalties. 6

10 TOM ALE: Decent opening shift with six carries for 45 metres and was back into the fray before halftime, ultimately finishing with 14 runs for a team-high 145 metres and 27 tackles without a miss. A shade behind Bunty as the standout middle but certainly kept himself in the frame for the Warriors’ season opener. 7.5

11 JACKSON FORD: Seemed to play within himself to an extent but still racked up the numbers – 36 tackles and 11 runs for 93 metres – and was a solid presence on the left edge. 6

12 JACOB LABAN: The big tyro didn’t take long to live up to the wraps, running a great line and brushing off defenders to score the Warriors’ first try. Huge defensive effort with 29 tackles in the first half and worked hard again during his second stint to end on nine runs for 82 metres and 40 tackles. Only an injury away from grabbing an NRL debut he looks more than ready for. 7.5

13 KALANI GOING: Industrious start on both sides of the ball, racking up eight carries and 22 tackles in the first half. Returned with another handy stint in the second half. As tough as he is hardworking, Going would not let anyone down if he gets to add to his solitary NRL appearance to date. 7

14 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: Didn’t get much of chance to impress, the centre making one run and three tackles. 4

15 ZYON MAIU’U: Immediate impact with a big run and a wayward shoulder that saw Declan Casey exit via medicab in a grim incident, earning an early shower after only a couple of minutes. 1

16 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: The local lad came on midway through the second half and looked at home straightaway with a handful of line-bending carries. The 19-year-old looks an NRL player of the future, even if he’s a little back in the queue right now. 6.5

17 LEKA HALASIMA: Rated very highly by the club and, at only 18, the sky appears to be the limit for this Tonga-born forward. Six runs for 61 metres and 24 tackles made for a nice little second-half statement. 6.5

18 PATRICK  MOIMOI: Only got a couple of runs at centre, but they were certainly forceful from the 103kg teenager who is set for a big year in NSW Cup. 5

20 ETUAKE FUKOFUKA: Two runs and eight tackles during the second half. 4

21 TONI TUPOUNIUA: Roosters star Sitili’s brother was a late acquisition and made a decent impression with some strong second-half carries. 6

22 BEN FARR: Dusty start after coming on for CHT at halftime, coughing up a pass under pressure. The afternoon got better from that point, producing several tidy plays – though a few attacking kicks went nowhere. Busy. 5

23 LUKE HANSON: The ex-Penrith playmaker looked pretty sharp, replacing Metcalf and getting plenty of touches, taking on the line and taking over the general play kicking well. 5.5

24 MOALA GRAHAM-TAUFA: Don’t the Warriors have some depth out wide. An imposing ball-carrier on the wing and finished with 99 metres from eight carries. Would not look out of place in the top flight. 6.5

25 GERONIMO DOYLE: Very sharp and incisive from fullback, while his heads-up grubber to lay on Tu’s try was an obvious highlight. Did not put a foot wrong, cleaned up well and chalked up 86 metres from 10 elusive runs. 7

26 QUINNLAN TUPOU: Returning to 13-a-side from rugby union, Tupou’s outing in Ōtautahi was brief but a nice milestone. 4

27 PAUL ROACHE: The late-2023 NRL debutant scored a fine solo try from dummy-half soon after replacing Lussick and provided genuine spark as the late comeback continued. 6.5

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