TWL Rd 12: Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings

A handful of standouts in what was a largely patchy display in comfortable win over the Dragons.

That'll do. In the rain at Kogarah, under a pile of errors and six-agains, the Warriors did what they had to go to put away struggling but fired-up St George Illawarra 30-12 — scoring six tries to two.

Effort on defence underpinned a victory in what was a hard watch but the sort of wins good teams need to chalk up as they make their way through the long slog of a 27-round season.

Caught on the back foot early with ex-Warriors fairytale story Setu Tu grabbing the first try, the Warriors grafted their way to a 14-6 halftime lead despite coughing up plenty of ball and getting plenty of attention from referee Adam Gee.

The Dragons had ample opportunity to work their way back into the contest, but their pedestrian attack and the Warriors’ aggressive, well-organised defence kept them at bay without much trouble.

The second-half also finished three tries to one as Te Maire Martin, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak each completing their doubles after dotting down in the opening 40.

Unusually, the Warriors had only 47 percent possession, but they still finished on top in the run metres stakes. Meanwhile, both teams made a whopping 15 errors and the visitors gave away eight set restarts to the Dragons’ six.

Obvious frustrations aside — and a worrying knee injury to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to boot — there was a lot to like about the intensity of the performance in a game where the high-flying Warriors could be forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal.

Now a top-of-the-table showdown with Penrith next Sunday awaits and the opportunity to win seven straight games for just the third time in the club’s history…but first, this week’s Kingz Container Crew player ratings.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: That grip on the No.1 jersey just keeps getting tighter with every performance. A dazzling try assist, a game-high 203 metres from 15 runs — aided by a searing kick-return line-break — and four tackle-breaks. And just so reliable and cool. The perfect fullback’s game in the wet. 8

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A vintage season just keeps getting better for DWZ. Equalled the club record for most consecutive games scoring a try (7), which includes four doubles — and an almost identical one to last week, a great airborne finish in the corner and an intercept. Massive workload with 21 tough carries for 180 metres. 8

3 ALI LEIATAUA: Several strong efforts in defence were let down somewhat by a shocking read that allowed opposite Valentine Holmes to set up the Dragons’ second-half try, but Ali nevertheless is heading in the right direction. Took some tough carries to finish with 96 metres on 10 runs. 7

4 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: A late inclusion but only lasted 11 minutes due to a worrying knee injury. N/A

5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: Tremendous bounce-back from a patchy Magic Round showing. Brilliant evasiveness to slip through for his first try and a blazing finish for his second. Courageous out of the backfield with 157 metres on 16 runs. A tally of 19 doubles in 60 NRL games (and four in six games for the Warriors) is absolutely insane. 8

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Another classy showing from the newly re-signed playmaker, albeit again taking a definite back-seat to TMM. Took on plenty of kicking load, picked his times to run and produced a superb try assist for AKP’s second. 7

7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Didn’t quite demand he remains in the No.7 jersey, but put forward a very solid case for retention. Marshalled the Warriors’ right-side attack nicely and popped up on the left to dart over for a solo try in each half, while he was big defensively again with 27 tackles. Sprayed a kick badly into touch on the full, but was otherwise adequate in that department — though the lack of a long kicking game is a drawback. 7.5

8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Absolutely loving the season our skipper is putting together. Put in a 60-minute shift despite an HIA test and racked up a pack-leading 176 metres from 17 runs and 47 tackles. Ford’s deservingly getting the plaudits, but there is no better in the competition than JFH. 8

9 WAYDE EGAN: After a five-star showing in Brisbane, this was one of Wayde-O’s more forgettable outings due to a couple of dusty handling errors. Only one run and made 35 tackles before dipping out with 25 minutes to go. Nice piece of dummy-half deception as TMM scored his first. 5.5

10 JACKSON FORD: Responded to his NSW Origin snub with an 80-minute display that amazingly has become the norm. Made 16 runs for 171 metres and topped the tackle count with 48 — including a string of massive kick-chase efforts. 8

11 LEKA HALASIMA: Shunted to centre for most of the game and made over 100 metres along with some very tidy defensive plays (among 22 tackles), but it’s hard to ignore the jarring memory of two handling errors that sullied determined runs. 5.5

12 JACOB LABAN: An early error on attack was less than ideal but overall a strong 80-metre display in his first starting appearance since Round 5. Chewed off 151 metres from 14 runs — including four tackle-breaks — and made 38 tackles, looking up for it on both sides of the ball. 7.5

13 ERIN CLARK: Big 67-minute shift with the Warriors losing two players and was again a constant handful through the middle, though the highlight-reel moments of recent weeks eluded him. Made 17 runs for 155 metres and a whopping 45 tackles. 8

14 SAM HEALEY: Typical showing from the livewire bench hooker in playing the last 25 minutes, making several defence-testing darts on top of 16 tackles. 6

15 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: The early-season standout returned from a six-week absence in fine style, playing 47 minutes and churning out 12 runs for 134 metres and 31 tackles. Great leg speed and footwork at the line — love him. 7

16 DEMETRIC VAIMAUGA: Three errors (including a burnt Captain’s Challenge) and three set restarts conceded, while made a modest 54 metres on seven carries in 42 minutes. But the enforcer’s brutal work in defence among 27 tackles made up for his shortcomings in other areas. Got a bit preoccupied with the niggle and pushing opponents after they played the ball. 6

17 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: A great opportunity to impress — his seventh in the NRL and only the second in 2026 — came unstuck after 17 minutes due to a nasty head knock. Made 12 tackles and one run during his time on the park, and hand a hand in the team’s first try. 4.5