TWL RD 11: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
A third straight nail-biter that saw the Warriors clinging to a narrow lead in the dying stages has delivered just the 11th five-match winning streak in the club’s history – but the grit and composure they showed for 70 minutes before a late Dolphins rally in a 16-12 result at Suncorp Stadium made for one of our more satisfying results so far in 2025.
The Warriors undoubtedly received a solid rub of the green, most notably in a non-call on a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck error at the start of a set that led to a crucial try, but keeping their try-line intact until the last 10 minutes was a hell of a feat against a team with the Dolphins’ firepower.
The visitors broke the nil-all deadlock in the 28th minute through a rejuvenated Marata Niukore, took a 10-0 lead into halftime via Kurt Capewell’s try following the aforementioned controversial call, and seemed to have the game under lock and key when Jacob Laban scored his first NRL try from a kick with 11 minutes to go.
The Dolphins kept the flame flickering when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow crossed for their belated first, then James Fisher-Harris’ dubious sin-binning (that Dolphin hit himself in the face with his own arm) led to another try to Herbie Farnworth and a terrifying closing act. But the Warriors held their defensive nerve yet again, denying the Dolphins-inspired climax Kevvie Walters had been edging himself towards in the commentary box for 80 minutes.
The Warriors are an amazing 8-2 for just the second time in their history and still outright second on the ladder heading into a home blockbuster against Canberra next Sunday. What a platform this is.
Here’s your Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Typically mighty effort at the back, including 19 runs for 184 metres (67 post-contact) and was crucial to the Warriors holding the hosts scoreless for 70 minutes. 7
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Still looking like an accident waiting to happen on defence, but nothing of dire consequence this week – and was credited with 15 tackles, a mammoth tally for a winger. No errors but only eight runs for 71 metres. 5.5
3 ADAM POMPEY: Sensational defensive display and one unforgettable charge deep into the second half that accounted for most of his team-high six tackle-breaks, among eight runs for 89 metres. They’re kidding if he’s not ahead of Berry in a fully-fit centre queue. 8
4 KURT CAPEWELL: Coming into his own in terms of value to this squad, producing another memorable 80-minute performance in the centres. A host of oustanding clean-up efforts among 23 tackles, 10 runs for 100 metres and backed up to score a vital try. Timely reminder for the Queensland selectors. 8
22 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Super-busy return after an eight-week absence for the club legend, churning through a game-high 202 metres from 22 carries. Few opportunities to shine at the attacking end but invaluable contribution. 7
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Magnificent defensive display (22 tackles) with a slew of crucial stops and crunching hits, shouldered plenty of the kicking load and put up the kick for Laban’s critical four-pointer. 7
7 LUKE METCALF: Maybe not the overall influence and control that you’d want from your No.7 in general, but by geez that kick-and-regather try assist for Capewell was as classy as it gets. Playmaking inside the 20-metre area was a mixed bag and got brushed off in Tabuai-Fidow’s try, but kicked well and otherwise was sound defensively. 7
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: A rousing comeback from the co-captain – arguably his most impactful performance in the jersey so far. Forty tackles full of ferocity and 13 hit-ups for 114 metres, but the stats don’t tell the story of the dent he made in the Dolphins. Questionable sin-binning (among three penalties conceded) put his side under pressure – interesting match review coming up. 7.5
9 WAYDE EGAN: Given him a sky blue jumper FFS. The best hooker in the comp this year by a margin and was sensational again today, laying on Niukore’s opener, troubling the Dolphins with his running game (7 runs for 74 metres) and reeling off a team-high 47 tackles before getting an early mark with seven minutes left. 8
10 MITCH BARNETT: Huge 65-minute shift as he pushes his barrow for Blues Origin retention with gusto. Fifteen runs for 160 metres (71 post-contact) and 33 tackles, all tough and hard-earned. 7.5
11 LEKA HALASIMA: The full 80 minutes for the third week in a row and big numbers again – 13 runs for 122 and 37 tackles. Made three errors (one especially poor one coming out of trouble) but so impactful and keen. 7
12 MARATA NIUKORE: Up there with his best for the club. Tremendous first try typified his ball-running intent (almost grabbed another in the second half) among 12 runs for 104 metres, and made 25 tackles without a miss in 63 minutes. 8
13 ERIN CLARK: More of the same from the buy of the year, chalking up 13 full-blooded runs for 122 metres and 40 tackles – only getting an eight-minute spell. Helps set the tempo for the team performance every week. 7.5
14 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Got seven minutes at dummy-half at the end. 5
15 JACOB LABAN: Made his 25 minutes count, leaping to reel in a bomb and score his first NRL try, as well as making 17 tackles. 6
16 DEMETRIC VAIMAUGA: Got into his work (four runs for 39 metres, seven tackles) but departed swiftly with an HIA. 5.5
20 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: The Halswell Hornets junior looked absolutely at home on NRL debut after getting the late call-up. In just 25 minutes, made six strong charges for 50 metres and 21 tackles – including several key stops. I’d be more than a tad worried if I were Bunty Afoa, because this kid belongs at this level. 6.5
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