TWL RD 11: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
Where do you even start with a performance like that? I think I speak for every Wahs fans when I say the frustration, exasperation and bewilderment of the past month melted away in 80 astonishing, inspiring Magic Round minutes.
At so many junctures it seemed the patched-up, injury-stricken Warriors were destined for a gallant loss to the three-time premiers;next week’s podcast’s 30-for-30 was pencilled in for ‘Warriors’ greatest losses’ with this one someone near the top.
Instead we’ll be rolling out a ‘Greatest Regular-season Wins’ list, with this staggering 22-20 eclipse of the Panthers a short-priced favourite for the No.1 spot.
After a disastrous start – down 6-0 inside two minutes – the Warriors found a resolve that stayed with them until the glorious fulltime hooter. A glut of good ball in the first half didn’t translate to many points, but they stared down a 10-4 halftime deficit and were ready to pounce when Isaah Yeo was sent to the bin early in the second stanza, racing to a 16-10 lead.
Back-to-back Panthers tries seemingly put paid to the potential of a memorable backs-to-the-wall win, but the Warriors conjured a fairytale try – and a dramatic sideline conversion – to Dad-to-be Taine Tuaupiki.
Perhaps the most remarkable moments of the win came in the dramatic remaining seven minutes, desperately repelling Panthers raids before surviving a last-minute Dylan Edwards penalty goal attempt. Unable to tell whether the Penrith fullback had kicked it due to the TV angle, the roar of the fans from behind the posts to signify that the kick had pushed right and the boys had pulled it off will never leave me.
An incredible victory, one that could turn around a flagging campaign…and built on a batch of unlikely heroes that put their names up in lights in the Kingz Container Crew player ratings this week.
Match Highlights
The Warriors produced one of the upsets of the season downing the Panthers at Magic Round! pic.twitter.com/E8GMafThbH
— NRL (@NRL) May 19, 2024
1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: That butchered opening kick-off could have ruined his day with his opposite scoring seconds late and was lucky to survive an in-goal scramble with Liam Martin, but ultimately proved arguably the hero of a long list of heroes. Barely put a foot wrong from that point, and although he played far less of a playmaking role that we envisaged, he ran for a team-high 183 metres from 22 runs, made two line-breaks and scored the match-levelling try (his first in the NRL) before glancing the match-winning conversion off the post to finish three-from-three. Super-calm at the back, too, with an impending birth in the back of his mind. 8.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Racked up his 200th NRL appearance against the team he debuted for a decade ago, but had a pretty quiet game. Carted the ball up 16 times for 102 metres without any chances on attack (though did have a team-high seven tackle-breaks), but no cock-ups and should be satisfied with champion winger Brian To’o’s modest imprint on the game. 5.5
3 ALI LEIATAUA: It looked bleak when the second-gamer pulled up sore from his first carry, but he regrouped to score a great try early in the second half, get through 11 runs for 105 metres and defend reasonably well. Belongs at this level and has again instantly created a selection headache for Andrew Webster that his injury in a sensational debut last year alleviated. 7
4 ADAM POMPEY: A watershed day in the rollercoaster career of Adam Pompey. Great go-ahead try early in the second half and turned up constantly to lead the three-quarter line with 18 runs for 152 metres, but just as impressive was his dependability. Rock solid on the right edge with zero errors and an enormous late high-ball take near the Warriors’ line. Put his hand up for a permanent spot. 8
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Magnificent response to last week’s axing. Early line-break, superb finish to get the Warriors on the board and was excellent after returning from an HIA assessment, gobbling up some tense high balls and finishing with 120 metres from 13 carries with five tackle-breaks. 7.5
6 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Looked like a Dally M Five-eighth of the Year contender for the first half-hour with a brilliant assist for Montoya’s try and consistently looking dangerous – on top of some customary big carries – before butchering a chance just before halftime. Quieter second half on attack but statlines of 14 runs for 139 metres and 19 tackles – along with the quick-tap run that garnered Yeo’s critical sin-bin – suggest CNK did exactly what Webby wanted from him in the frontline. 8
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: An individual performance I won’t soon forget. Has been anonymous in recent weeks and was ordinary for the most part in the first half (besides a nice hand in Montoya’s try) with some dreadful kicks and dusty passing on attack. Went on to steer the Warriors to one of the great wins with three try assists and some excellent kicking from some tough spots, along with 20 tackles. Hopefully a turning point and a confidence-booster that he can be a leader for this team whether SJ’s there or not. 8
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: One of the more remarkable aspects of this phenomenal win was that their best player across the topsy-turvy first 10 rounds was miles behind his usual level. Just seven runs for 62 metres in (a modest for the workload that’s been piled on him in 2024) 49 minutes, encompassing two errors. Racked up 25 tackles. 6
9 WAYDE EGAN: Made one run and 10 tackles, the last of which was an all-too-familiar head-in-the-wrong-position effort that ended his day in the 12th minute. 3
10 BUNTY AFOA: Played 39 minutes (just 15 of those in the opening stint) and trucked the ball up just three times, but was magnificent in defence with 31 tackles an no misses – particularly during the knife’s edge second half. 6.5
11 JACKSON FORD: Big effort to rally from an early HIA interruption, playing 68 minutes and reeling off 33 tackles along with seven runs for 53 metres. No standout moments and went on report, but a key piece in the Warriors’ rearguard. 6.5
12 MITCHELL BARNETT: Getting some high-profile support for a NSW Origin call-up and this display will not have hurt his chances one bit. Got a spell of a mere three minutes and was prominent for the other 77, making 36 tackles in terrier-like fashion and 16 runs for 115 metres while being a go-to inside the Panthers’ red-zone. 8
14 DYLAN WALKER: What a late-career this geezer is turning out to be. Played 73 minutes, made 162 metres from 21 runs, chalked up 30 tackles and passed the ball more times than anyone on the team besides TMM and Roache. Big hand in Leiataua’s try. A class act. 8.5
It was all about desire, discipline, effort and defensive desperation. Forget all the buzzwords – they turned it around because they wanted it and ripped in
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) May 19, 2024
15 TOM ALE: Trademark energy lift during his 18-minute stint when finally called upon during the second half, making three strong runs and 12 tackles, along with an offload. 5.5
16 JAZZ TEVAGA: Entering the action with one of the worst Captain’s Challenges of all time, Jazzy was incredible from that point. An amazing 20 runs for 154 metres with five tackle-breaks, and 21 tackles without a miss – including a couple of punchy shots that forced Panthers errors. Tevaga at his best can be so good for this team. 8
17 JACOB LABAN: Few chances to show the qualities we are so excited about him for – making a mere 29 metres from five runs – but was outstanding under tough circumstances, pitched in early and playing 52 minutes. Racked up 36 tackles without a miss and did not put a foot wrong. A huge step in his development as a long-term NRL player. 7
21 PAUL ROACHE: Has to be everyone’s new favourite fringe player after that herculean effort. A late call-up to the 17 with just one genuine NRL game (plus a couple of minutes in another) under his belt, Roache was unexpectedly pitched in after 12 minutes and played out the match in just magnificent style. Great service from dummy-half and a team-high 37 tackles in a tenacious, level-headed display that almost demands inclusion in a full-strength squad. 8
The post TWL RD 11: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS appeared first on This Warriors Life.