TWL Rd 1: Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings

A host of stellar individual performances — and one defensive dud — in the Warriors' unforgettable season-opening pasting of the Roosters.

The Warriors produced one of their greatest-ever Round 1 performances to pluck premiership fancies Sydney Roosters 42-18 — so naturally there was no shortage of superb solo displays to unpack in the first meaningful Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings of 2026.

This week’s ratings are dedicated to the memory of Ray Grbin 💙❤💚

1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Did exactly what it says on the tin for most of the night — strong carries (17 runs for 160) and a committed, cool head at the back to snuff out a couple of very dangerous scenarios in the second half. Modest impact at the attacking end, until blazing over for a victory lap try with two minutes to go. Finished with seven tackle-breaks. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Certainly not a highlight-laden night for the veteran cult hero, but did little wrong and came up with a couple of timely high-ball catches. Only 81 metres on 11 runs but had five tackle-breaks, along with an error. 6

3 ALI LEIATAUA: It feels incongruous to be so critical of one player after such a wonderful, uplifting win, but Leiataua instilled little confidence he is the elusive long-term centre solution. The Roosters’ only two tries in the first 50 minutes came as a direct result of Leiataua getting schooled by Billy Smith, while he looked at sea in defence all night. Dangerous enough with ball in hand (eight runs for 86 metres) without really getting his timing right. 3.5

4 ADAM POMPEY: Magnficent finish to bag the Warriors’ second try and was a busy, bustling bee with 14 runs for 144 metres and five tackle-breaks. A loose flick pass after a great run and a few missed tackles still left him well on the positive side of the ledger. 7

5 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: A masterful display on the flank from the club legend — in a rather unexpected department. RTS spectacularly laid on three tries by climbing to take high balls and scooping up a grounded pass and producing amazing passes in all three instances. Add to that 16 runs for 166 metres and Warriors management should getting a contract extension ready pronto. 8.5

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: CHT's job to provide some off-the-cuff spark on top of his usual gameplan-based playmaking was made much easier by Boyd’s outstanding display, but he was nevertheless one of the best on ground. Backed up to score two tries off RTS passes — the second a match-sealer that started with his bomb — and slipped a lovely short ball to put Capewell over. Played his role to perfection. 8.5

7 TANAH BOYD: What a night for the oft-maligned ex-Titan. Kick-started the landslide by pinning the ears back and dummying through for his first NRL try as a Warrior, put the kick up for Pompey’s and Halasima’s tries, and straightened the attack to essentially lay on Capewell’s and Nicoll-Klokstad’s. Still a couple of miskicks on attack, but superb on the whole — with his running game (11 runs for 90 metres) proving the timely catalyst. 8.5

8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: This is the four-time premiership-winning version of JFH we banked on getting when he arrived last year — and this was arguably his best performance for the club to date. Set the aggressive tone on both sides of the ball and finished with 20 carries for 159 metres and three tackle-breaks, consistently rattled the Roosters with his defence and popped a game-high five offloads. Great captain’s knock. 8.5

9 WAYDE EGAN: Typically excellent control around the ruck to help facilitate the Warriors’ big lead, producing guile and pinpoint passing in the lead-up to a couple of tries. Perhaps the biggest indication of how valuable he is was how they lost their way somewhat in the 19 minutes he was off the field. Egan returned and the Warriors scored two late tries to seal the deal. Eight runs for 68 metres and 24 tackles. 7.5

10 JACKSON FORD: Justified his starting spot with interest, topping the Warriors’ run metres (a game-high 219 from 22 carries) and tackle (28) counts in a grunty 71-minute display. Never far from the action — looking likely to poke through on attack on several occasions — and finished with a whopping 113 post-contact metres. 8.5

11 KURT CAPEWELL: Another veteran forward to deliver perhaps his finest performance for the club. The try assist for Pompey, a tremendous hole run to score himself soon after, while a reflex slips catch of a dangerous kick near the Warriors’ line in the second half epitomised his elite clean-up work. Ten runs for 88 metres and second in the tackle-count stakes with 25. 8.5

12 JACOB LABAN: Didn’t quite make the most of his starting line-up opportunity, coming up with a spilled ball on attack, and making just six runs for 41 metres and racking up 17 tackles but with six misses before being replaced in the 46th minute. 5.5

13 ERIN CLARK: Overshadowed by a few other engine-room compadres when he was invariably the forward standout in 2025, but nevertheless a solid 54-minute contribution with 17 runs for 129 metres and 21 tackles. A backchat penalty was less ideal. 7

14 SAM HEALEY: Given a 20-minute stint during the second half, in which time the Warriors failed to score any points and lost their way somewhat. Not that it was Healey’s fault — and he had one very exciting run - but they looked more composed with Egan directing traffic. 5

15 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Got through his work in a 27-minute stint, churning out six runs for 53 metres and 11 tackles without a miss. Will get his chance to play a more prominent role. 6

16 LEKA HALASIMA: Held back until the 46th minute — and made a sizzling entry, throwing down the gauntlet to Nanai and Olakau’atu as arguably the best aerial forward in the NRL by climbing to take a bomb and score his 14th try in 23 games. Saw out the game without any further highlights, tallying a modest five runs for 20 metres and eight tackles. 6

17 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Rewarded for his blockbusting trial form with 40 minutes of game-time and undeniably made his presence felt, powering through 112 metres on 13 carries. Making it very hard to leave him out of the 17, despite being the most likely to make way when Mitch Barnett returns. 7