The Warriors’ 26-16 loss to the Dolphins was a tough one to take from almost every angle — and it doesn’t get much more soothing (with a couple of notable exceptions) when dissecting the individual performances for the Kingz Container Crew player ratings.
1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: An absolute shining light with a wonderful solo try, a team-high 227 metres from 22 runs, two line-breaks and nine tackle-breaks, and some superb defusals and last-line defence. Constantly sniffing around in attack and couldn’t have done too much more for the cause. 8.5
2 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Arguably a bit impulsive to jam as opposite Cobbo scored. Worked hard for 154 metres on 18 carries with five tackle-breaks, but missed his assignment a couple of times on attack and is probably the least dynamic winger we’ve had since Jono Wright. 5.5
3 ALI LEIATAUA: Had the most daunting task of the night marking up on Farnworth, who torched the Warriors down the stretch. Finished the night with nine tackles and nine misses. Very willing on attack with limited opportunities, racking up 125 metres from 14 runs with four tackle-breaks. 5.5
20 ADAM POMPEY: Drafted in at the last minute for Leka Halasima and it didn’t pan out well. An extravagantly dumb shoulder-charge from a kick-off return earned 10 minutes in the bin to surely deter potential suitors from getting him out of his contract a year early as rumoured. Was otherwise relatively sound but lacked impact and had a few problems with Jack Bostock in the fateful last 20 minutes. Eleven runs for 89 metres. 4
5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: A subpar end to the regular season fed into AKP’s finals debut. Gave away two first-half penalties (though was arguably unlucky to get done for kicking out while airborne) and was routinely buffeted the few times he ran the ball, which equated to 69 metres on seven carries. Capped the night with a mistimed jump as Bostock scored from a bomb. No chances to shine in attack. 4
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Shouldered with the bulk of the long kicking load and was underwhelming overall in that department, including some too-shallow high balls in the second half. Forgettable night in the playmaking department and chalked up three errors, while he was burgled by Bostock for the game-clinching try. Six runs for 42 metres and busy defensively with 21 stops. 5
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Extremely well-contained by the Dolphins, who cut down TMM’s time. The veteran seemed to run out of ideas and started attacking far too laterally. Took the line on plenty — 12 runs for 82 metres, with nine tackle-breaks — and made some impressive tackles. Short kicking game was very hit and miss. 5.5
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Came out firing and led all forwards on the field with 168 metres (72 post-contact) from 20 runs in 59 minutes of gametime, on top of a massive 41-tackle contribution. Just wasn’t able to get the majority of his troops to follow his heroic lead this time. 8
9 WAYDE EGAN: Hard to remember such a subpar showing from the crafty rake. Looked off from early on with a couple of dusty passes — one which handed the Dolphins possession for their first try. Seven runs for 63 metres but generally seemed unable to get the Dolphins on the back foot like we’re used to seeing. Made 34 tackles with five misses. 5
10 MITCH BARNETT: Like his co-captain, did everything you’d expect of him with quality and intent. Made 136 metres on 16 runs and rattled off 30 tackles, relishing the rugged early exchanges. 7.5
11 KURT CAPEWELL: As with Egan, the big-game veteran seemed to return from the one-week rest pancake flat. The sin-binning was perhaps harsh, but otherwise got folded most times he carried the ball (eight runs for 48 metres), coupled 22 tackles with seven misses and made an error. 4.5
12 JACOB LABAN: A workhorse in defence with a team-high 42 tackles and was keen to get involved on attack, making 10 runs for 74 metres. But three errors and nine missed tackles chipped away at the good work — with a lazy effort as Farnworth scored and getting stood up by Tabuai-Fidow for the Dolphins’ go-ahead try especially glaring moments. 5.5
13 ERIN CLARK: Started with a hiss and a roar but faded out of the contest and was uncharacteristically anonymous overall. Decent work-rate with 12 runs for 105 metres and 34 tackles, but wasn’t the difference maker you’d expect in such an important game. 5.5
15 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Used unusually sparingly for two short stints totalling 25 minutes, struggling to make his usual impact with only six runs for 41 metres — by far his lowest of the season. Made 17 tackles. Unlucky to be credited with an error after getting a dog of a pass from Egan. 5
17 JACKSON FORD: Seemed to pick up where he left off 12 weeks ago, rumbling for 62 metres on eight carries before his comeback with cut short by a leg injury after 25 minutes. Gave away a penalty. 6
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Couldn’t get enough of the fiery atmosphere and was the best of the Warriors’ bench forwards, busting seven tackles among his nine runs for 93 metres in 34 minutes. Also racked up 16 tackles without a miss. 7
14 SAM HEALEY: Came on for the last 17 minutes and immediately made a snappy dummy-half run, but that was his only chance to shine. Reeled off 11 tackles. 5
Nice work there Will, not much to disagree with though I think it's a bit rough comparing CNK to Jono Wright LOL, but I get your point.
It was obvious at the game that the performances of our centres were not in the same hemisphere as Herbie Farnsworth. He was simply elite and ours...not so much. I thought Farnsworth and Katoa had the x-factor that we sadly lacked tonight.
I think we saw the limitations in our halves too. No lack of effort but not the necessary execution. I understand why CHT was kicking deep when we were leading 16-8, but in hindsight (and I know it's easy to be wise from the grandstand) that gave the Dolphins space to tear us up.
I'm seeing too what all the Titan's fans were going on about with AKP. He has not been good for a few weeks now and if Dallin is fit next week then I reckon AKP drops out. If not Dallin then surely Luke Lauilli would be the next best choice.
Just my uneducated five cents worth.
Spot on here Will. Maybe a touch harsh on Laban, there was some good to go with the bad, but otherwise couldn’t agree more with your take