TWL RD 10: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
Back-to-back try-less second-half performances have been neutralised by rearguard defensive efforts to come away with consecutive remarkable victories, catapulting the Warriors into the unlikely position of outright second on the NRL ladder after 10 rounds with a 7-2 record.
There was less flashy moments and far more shabby discipline than the Magic Round defeat of the Cowboys, but a 15-14 eclipse of St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium provides another invaluable two points to the cause as Andrew Webster’s side keeps perfecting the art of winning ugly.
And in a weekend featuring a string of incredible comebacks, just getting over the line – particularly after coughing up a 14-point lead – is a major achievement.
After running in two tries in the first 15 minutes, the Warriors gave up points for the first time just before halftime and began the second stanza in shambolic fashion…and very nearly never recovered. But they gradually found a footing again to at least get into the grind, before Luke Metcalf’s seemingly premature field goal option with 10 minutes to go proved to be enough for the gritty W.
Another trip to Suncorp Stadium awaits in Round 11 as the Warriors prepare to face the up-and-down Dolphins. Until then, here’s you Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Another huge shift from the custodian, tallying game-high run metres (213) and tackle-breaks (7) tallies from 26 runs. Error-free and plenty of classy clean-up work. Did bomb a try, though, by ignoring an unmarked Dallin. 7.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A real mixed bag in the cult hero winger’s first NRL outing of 2025. Strong on the carry with 132 metres from 14 runs, but made an eye-watering four errors and was all at sea in defence on too many occasions (to quote Brad Larking’s mid-game text, ‘He looks like a cat chasing a laser pointer’). 5
3 ADAM POMPEY: Seemed a relatively quiet night on the surface but finished with a more than handy 16 runs for 121 metres and did a reasonable job opposite Moses Suli. 6.5
4 KURT CAPEWELL: A full 80 minutes in the centres and had some problems with the threat of Valentine Holmes – and nine runs for 70 metres and 13 tackles with five misses doesn’t make particularly good reading – but his effort plays can’t be quantified by basic stats. Invaluable to the squad for his versatility and energy. 6.5
5 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Dived over for the Warriors’ second try and made 16 runs for 117 metres. Targeted by the Dragons’ kickers on attack but generally handled things OK, besides one handling error. 6.5
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Solid support role without the highlight-reel moments of last week, though he put the kick up for Taine’s try. Six runs for 64 metres, 15 tackles and a decent kicking load. 6.5
7 LUKE METCALF: Another blazing start with an excellent early try and the assist for Tuaupiki. Running game was relatively quiet thereafter but kicked his dick off (494 metres) – putting it on the boot twice as many times as CHT – and stepped up to coolly slot the winning field goal. Looking more comfortable by the week and starting to deserve his lofty Dally M Medal leaderboard standing. 8
17 BUNTY AFOA: Promoted to the starting side but only had a 15-minute opening stint and came on for another eight minutes in the second half. Gave it a nudge while on the paddock: seven runs for 75 metres and 15 tackles. 6.5
9 WAYDE EGAN: Peppered the Dragons from dummy-half (seven runs for 81 metres), especially during the first half, and a lovely piece of deception in the lead-up to Metcalf’s try. On top of that, made 50 tackles before getting an early mark with seven minutes left. The best hooker in the NRL in 2025. 8
10 MITCH BARNETT: Colossal captain’s knock with 190 metres on 20 runs and an astounding 48 tackles in 65 minutes. Ill-advised fourth-tackle kick in the second was about all you could fault him on as he made a huge statement to the NSW Origin selectors. 8
11 LEKA HALASIMA: Second 80-minute showing in a row and cannot be moved from this role under any circumstances now. Much busier on the attacking side of the ball in the first half, but had 11 runs for 122 metres and 32 tackles in another hungry, punchy performance. Good Captain’s Challenge, too. Absolute obsessed with this guy. 7.5
12 MARATA NIUKORE: Genuine punch when he did run the ball – had eight runs for 89 metres – and racked up 22 tackles. Has bounced back well since getting a run in the middle. 6.5
13 ERIN CLARK: This dude – what a buy. A career-best-by-a-mile season continued with 16 runs for 162 metres and a monster defensive effort of 52 tackles, plus a key hand in Metcalf’s opener as his ball-playing game continues to develop. 8
8 JACKSON FORD: Switched to the bench in a late change and made five runs for 62 metres with 19 tackles before a head clash on the opening hit-up of the second half wiped him out of the game. 6
15 JACOB LABAN: Never looks out of place when he gets the opportunity and mad five runs for 39 metres and 19 tackles in 27 minutes on the park. 6
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Upped his minutes, playing half the game, and was a weapon on both sides of the ball – nine runs for 111 metres and 29 tackles without a miss. A dropped ball on attack was the tyro’s only black mark. 7
18 TE MAIRE MARTIN: In a reverse of last week, was pitched onto the bench in Sam Healey’s place and played the last 20 minutes – including a dummy-half stint. Made a couple of runs, 13 tackles and did nothing wrong. 5.5
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