TWL RD 12: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
Like Magic Round, the NRL’s Indigenous Round produced more than its share of shock results – but once again the shorthanded Warriors stole the headlines on Sunday with a staggering 24-20 win over the fourth-placed Dolphins at Te pā o Rarotonga.
As well as trying to keep a lid on the euphoria of last weekend’s instantly iconic upset of Penrith, the Warriors had to deal with the destabilising Addin Fonua-Blake drama 72 hours out from kick-off and the late withdrawal of another trio of key players.
Incredibly, there were more survivors from the second-string side that faced the Dolphins in the Round 27 dead-rubber last year (10) than the full-strength side that took on the Dolphins at home in Round 14 (7).
The match followed several of the same themes as the win over the Panthers: a shaky start, a halftime deficit after a spirited rally, an outstanding surge to take the lead and some hearty defence to close out a two competition points worth far more than their face value. For the last 55 minutes of the match, the only try they conceded was a scrambling in the dying minutes from a grubber.
There’s a chance that as many as 10 of the heroes from this memorable victory wouldn’t be out there if the Warriors had a fully-fit roster – but every one of them proved they’re up to the task if and when needed, regardless of the occasion…and they get what they richly deserve in another sparkling edition of TWL’s Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings.
I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of the @NZWarriors. All heart tonight
— Keith Whitelock (@whitelock_keith) May 26, 2024
Man I fucking love this team
— Stela (@shiningserpent_) May 26, 2024
Fuck player manager and politics and agendas, just give 17 hearty lads from our system the ball and they can get the job done
— Fonzie
(@fonzieswarriors) May 26, 2024
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELENZIAK: It’s been a quiet month or so for Dal, but being thrust back into the action at fullback – for just the second time at NRL level in three years – could be just the tonic to get him going again. A couple of dusty passes and heart-in-the-mouth moments, but ran for a game-high 184 metres on 23 lead-in-the-pencil runs, made five tackle-breaks, offloaded twice and strained his way over for the go-ahead try, breaking a four-match dry spell. 7.5
22 EDWARD KOSI: Another diabolical start, coughing up the pill on an early run-of-the-mill yardage carry. Recovered well with no real missteps from that point and hungry for runs, finishing with 16 for 122 metres. 6
23 MOALA GRAHAM-TAUFA: Hell of a debut from Will and Brad’s favourite NSW Cup player of all time. No shortage of tough carries with 126 metres from 17 runs, along with some strong defensive plays and a couple of touches of real class with limited opportunities. Opposite Herbie Farnworth gave the Warriors nightmares for the first 50 minutes or so, but he only clearly beat MGT once. Probably a long way down the three-quarter line pecking order but potentially the most talented of a bulging contingent. 7
4 ADAM POMPEY: The quietest of the Warriors’ backline with just 69 metres from eight runs, while he was probably the most at fault as the Dolphins went over out wide early on. But pretty sound overall, handling Jake Averillo very well for the most part and slotting some clutch conversions among his four-from-four. 6.5
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Has bounced back in a big way since his Round 10 axing. Defused a succession of high balls under pressure, as well as making a superb take of one on attack to set up CHT’s try. A line-break among 11 runs for 115 metres. 7.5
20 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Played an important role in his first full 80 minutes of NRL footy since 2022. Backed up to score the Warriors’ first try, took on the line (eight runs for 77 metres), tested the Dolphins with his ball-playing, took plenty of the kicking pressure off TMM and made some big stops among 21 tackles. One of the better five-eighth performances from a Warrior this year. 7.5
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Like last week, took a little time to ease his way into the game but was outstanding from the point he scored a wonderful 32nd-minute solo try. Same class short ball-playing to put players through gaps and create half-chances – none more important that his ball to put Niukore over for a decisive try. Some top-drawer short kicking, 17 runs for 89 metres with five tackle-breaks and – arguably most impressive – several outstanding defensive plays to snuff out danger. 8.5
17 MARATA NIUKORE: We’ll no doubt see better from him as the season wears on, but a huge 51-minute shift (filling in for our discontented million-dollar prop, no less) after playing just 25 minutes of footy this season…eight weeks ago. Eleven runs for 94 metres and held the middle together well in defence, while struggling over for what was essentially the match-winning try was a dream capper to his comeback. 7.5
18 PAUL ROACHE: Remarkable durability after coming on in the 11th minute last week but lasted just 11 minutes this time around after getting his maiden NRL start, with an ankle injury ending his night. 4
10 BUNTY AFOA: Solid as in 34 minutes of game-time, with his nine carries for 73 metres and 19 tackles probably not telling the story. Error from a Dolphins kick – after which they scored – was a tad disappointing. 6.5
11 JACKSON FORD: The type of non-stop 80-minute effort that won him favour over the likes of Josh Curran last year. Twelve runs for 102 metres and a team-high 49 tackles sums up his hunger for work. Two ruck infringements, but his error was from a bludger of a Dylan Walker pass. 7.5
12 MITCH BARNETT: The NSW No.20 jersey was the absolute least he deserved after another inspirational, dynamic display as skipper. Played all but the last six minutes of the match, racking up 21 runs for 174 metres (65 post-contact) – bending the line back every time, making a line-break and threatening to get clear on multiple other occasions – and gobbling up 25 tackles. Utter stud. 8.5
13 DYLAN WALKER: Perpetually involved in his 69 minutes on the park, taking the tough run (104 metres from 16 carries), doing a stack of ball-playing through the middle (23 passes) and absolutely tireless in defence (40 tackles). Arguably a more effective No.13 than our injured captain right now. 8
Match Highlights
The Warriors once again defied injuries to several key stars to down the Dolphins 24-20. pic.twitter.com/Q6FP5BOJxV
— NRL (@NRL) May 26, 2024
9 FREDDY LUSSICK: Bumped back to the bench in a late change but was in the action just 11 minutes in and played out the match. A bad miss on Farnworth as he broke through to sent Tabuai-Fidow away for a try and some pretty sluggish dummy-half play. But finished the match very strongly, including a nice bit of deception to set up DWZ’s try and a tally of 46 tackles. 6.5
14 TOM ALE: Just 19 minutes but felt like much longer, given he carted the ball up 13 times for 89 metres. Promoted the ball a couple of times after powerhouse runs – once to good effect, another time sending Dallin scurrying back to clean up an errant pass. Was on the field when the Warriors were running downhill but couldn’t have asked for much more from him. 7
15 JAZZ TEVAGA: His introduction again coincided with a momentum shift in the Warriors’ favour for the second week in a row. Another lionhearted effort with 14 runs for 116 metres and 26 tackles in 46 minutes. Late handling error. 7.5
16 JACOB LABAN: Added some energy and particularly solid in defence with 17 tackles. A modest four runs for 27 metres in 31 minutes. 6
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