Searing individual highs and tormenting solo lows mark the last Kingz Container Crew player ratings edition of 2026 after a harrowing semi-final exit at the hands of Newcastle.
1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Had the Knights on their toes throughout the first half with 14 runs for 143 metres and nine tackle-breaks. Made a line-break in the second half and finished the match with an incredible 16 tackle-breaks and a game-high 208 metres from 23 runs — despite being pulled off for an HIA with 10 minutes left. Really could’ve used him down the stretch. A couple of errors and a penalty, but was again sturdy at the back. Far and away the best Warriors player over the last three weeks and should start as a raging-hot favourite for the No.1 jersey in 2027. 8
2 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Looked for any opportunity to jam and it finally back-fired with opposite Young scoring what would prove the match-winner early in the second half — a disappointing moment that had the sting in the tail of an HIA that ruled him out of the rest of the match. Made 12 runs for 85 metres to that point but was very comfortably gobbled up by the Knights’ defence. If you ask me, despite AKP’s recent form slump, the safety-first selection strategy back-fired. 4.5
22 LEKA HALASIMA: An absolute menace in the first half, scoring a typically blockbusting try, making another line-break and racking up 123 metres. Quieter after the break with the Warriors’ attack getting too diagonal to create decent chances for him, but still scored an outrageous try in the corner to set up a grandstand finish. Tallied nine line-breaks for the night, finished with 189 metres and made 16 tackles — some important ones among them. Given our obvious dearth of quality in the position and Leka’s sensational efforts in the backline, there’s a very high chance he remains in the centres to start 2027. 8.5
4 ALI LEIATAUA: A mixed bag with some rocky defensive moments opposite Bradman Best and some execution issues when the Warriors had the Knights on the ropes in the first half, making three errors and giving away a penalty. Impressive on the ball-carrying front, relieving some mid-set pressure in a 158-metre contribution from 15 runs. 6
23 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A heroic return just four weeks after breaking his collarbone — and a performance to match. Made 21 high-octane charges for 190 metres with five tackle-breaks and was very good defensively on an edge that had some terrible moments. A poor offload that gave the ball to the Knights, who then scored their only try of the second half, was a notable cross against the 250-game milestone man’s performance, however. 7.5
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Aside from the assist for Leka’s first-half try, it was a veritable dog’s breakfast on attack unfortunately for CHT. Territory kicking was fine but the last-tackle kicks near the Knights’ line were some of the worst you’ll see in a big game. Couldn’t straighten the attack in the second half, which meant the dangerous left edge was run into a succession of dead ends. Made 22 tackles but had a whopping 10 misses — including a glaring one as Ponga breezed through for a line-break — and gave away a high-tackle penalty. Tough way to finish a good season individually. 4
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Seemed like a linchpin without a plan for the most part, overusing Laban short early on, then firing it wide to outside men who didn’t have the space. Was either absent on the last, or gave it to players who have no business with the ball on the last far too often, instead of playing the percentages and attempting to force a result with a kick. Effort can’t be faulted — especially when he made 19 runs for 151 metres and 27 tackles. Did a remarkable job as a fill-in No.7 but didn’t have the extra level or game-management required in the finals furnace. 5
Warriors freeze in straight-sets Knightmare
A record-breaking season that seemed likelier than any other before it to deliver a maiden premiership has ended via the agony of back-to-back home finals losses.
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: The co-captain and newly-minted Simon Mannering Medallist saved one of his least impactful performances for the most important game of the season. Thirteen runs for 119 metres was one of his lowest offensive outputs of the season, while his 27 tackles was coupled with a way above average six misses. A bit disappointing from one of the NRL’s best props of 2026. 6
9 WAYDE EGAN: Played the full 80 minutes for only the second time this season and was much better this week after a ragged qualifying final showing. Tested the Knights from dummy-half, topped the tackle count with 44 and delivered a magnificent assist for Halasima’s second-half try as first receiver on the last. A subsequent last-tackle option to go the short side with Barnett was an absolute stinker, however. 7
10 MITCH BARNETT: Left it all out there in his last appearance for the club. Made 16 runs for 142 metres — including a couple of back-fencers — with four tackle-breaks, and racked up 34 tackles. Perhaps a little too prominent on attack during the latter stages. All heart, which his been his M.O. throughout four seasons at the club. 7.5
11 KURT CAPEWELL: The surprise packet of the night with three line-breaks and eight tackle-breaks among nine runs for 128 metres. A tally of 32 tackles included a classic cover tackle that took Dom Young into touch and could’ve been a try-saver, while he had a hand in Halasima’s second try. The type of performance that makes you glad he’s hanging around for another season. 8.5
12 JACOB LABAN: After a tough finish to the qualifying final defensively, it was another night where the flashpoint lows overshadowed another high-effort game for the Warriors’ Players’ Player of the Year. Super-busy in the first half and finished with 11 runs for 85 metres, along with 33 tackles, before hitting the bench at the hour mark. But getting palmed by Bradman Best, who raced away to set up the Knights’ first try, among seven largely eye-catching misses made for an unfortunate end to a strong campaign. 5
13 ERIN CLARK: Led the Warriors’ forwards with 147 metres on 17 runs, made 32 tackles and came up with what would have to be close to a season-high 20 passes. Though stronger than last week, it was ultimately another finals performance lacking the hoped-for impact from one of the NRL’s most influential locks. 6.5
15 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Again bafflingly under-utilised by Andrew Webster. Played under 30 minutes just three times in his 21 appearances this year — and two of those were during the finals. This week there was no Jackson Ford to snatch his gametime, yet TSS only got one 27-minute stint. Made five strong runs for 60 metres and 15 tackles. 6
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Busy in defence with 23 tackles in 36 minutes, but limited bearing on the attacking side of things with five runs for 46 minutes and not much in the way of ball-playing. 6
17 EDDIE IERIMIA-TOEAVA: Came on at the half-hour mark in the middle and played out the game, switching to the edge when Laban went off and seeing out the game at centre following Tuaupiki’s exit. Nine runs for 78 metres and 32 tackles in a very solid contribution. 7
2 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: Bumped out of the starting line-up following Dallin’s return but came on for the last 34 minutes after Charnze’s injury. Looked capable of carving the Knights up a couple of times and finished with 10 runs for 62 metres, including five tackle-breaks. Some shaky moments at the back and finishes the season on just the second three-match try drought of his career. 5.5