TWL RD 13: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
The white-knuckle Warriors have done it again, holding on for their sixth win by a converted try or less in the space of nine matches to rebuff the Latrell Mitchell-fuelled South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-30 at Accor Stadium.
A rollercoaster first half that featured a Dallin Watene-Zelezniak aerial try, a Luke Metcalf intercept pass and an unlikely try assist grubber from Jackson Ford finished 14-12 in the Warriors’ favour, before the visitors powered to a commanding 30-12 lead with 25 minutes to go via a blistering start to the second half.
But then Latrell Mitchell exploded, reducing the deficit to six points with a pair of try assists then – after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s second try gave the Warriors a seemingly insurmountable 12-point lead with seven minutes left – did the same courtesy of a barnstorming solo try with five minutes left.
As they’ve done frequently in the face of opposition running downhill in the second half in 2025, however, the Warriors closed out the victory with composed and gritty defence to make it nine wins for the season – equalling their 2024 tally of dubs already. It’s an outstanding platform laid ahead of next week’s big road trip to take on Cronulla, followed by clashes with Penrith (home) and Brisbane (away) sandwiched between two byes…but how long they’ll be without co-captain Mitch Barnett, who picked up what looked to be a serious knee injury, could have big ramifications on their campaign.
Some big performers chalking up TWL Player of the Year points in this week’s Kingz Container Crew player ratings.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: A top-tier performance from one of true workhorse custodians. Firstly, a colossal 342 metres from 28 carries – one of the highest tallies in recorded history – and powered over for a crucial first-half try, after some superb attack down the Rabbitohs’ right side, on top of some huge defensive efforts at the back. A game-high eight tackle-breaks, too. A marvel. 8.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Started on fire with a tremendous overhead grab to score, and was peppered by the Rabbitohs’ kickers and came up with several great takes under pressure. Disappointing return once again with only 88 metres on 12 runs and was caught off his wing more than once as Alex Johnston blazed over for a historic hat-trick. 6
3 ADAM POMPEY: A quiet day on the whole for the club stalwart. Strong on the carry with 99 metres from 12 runs, had little to do defensively and gave away two penalties on top of a set restart. 6
4 ROCCO BERRY: Hard to not be impressed by just Berry’s fourth top-grade appearance of the season, scoring a try through sheer effort and coming up with a number of great desperation plays on defence. Six runs for 62 metres but again his day ended early – this time with 20 minutes to go, presumably because a wad of vaseline is insufficient to treat a massive scalp wound. 6.5
5 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Scored a solid double to make it five tries from six games in 2025, but was superb all-round. Made 173 metres from 21 runs – including some hugely important pressure-relieving carries – and came up with some big catches and cover tackles. Providing so much more value as a winger than a centre since returning from rugger. 8
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Seemed up for it from the outset and took the line on regularly, sent RTS over for both of his tries and made some typically excellent stops among his 20 tackles. His best for several weeks. 7.5
7 LUKE METCALF: The proverbial mixed bag with some massive play and some dog’s breakfast moments. Great kicks for DWZ’s opening try and RTS’s closer, and a sizzling runaway try in the first half – a huge moment – accounted for most of his 112 running metres. Then there was a dreadful intercept pass, some barely second-rate options on attack and some diabolical misses off the tee (and some beauties to finish 4/7). Good defensively and shouldered a huge kicking load. Enough good stuff to be encouraged, enough bad to be justified in remaining skeptical. Potentially controversial opinion: could shelve the showboating for games where he hasn’t made so many cock-ups. 6.5
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Just nine runs for 78 metres but a monumental 53 tackles in 56 minutes on the park to set the tone for his side in the wake of a one-week suspension. Feels like he’s played for us for ages – and Barnett’s likely long-term absence only emphasise’s JFH’s importance to the side. 7
9 WAYDE EGAN: Another great dummy-half shift from the linchpin with eight runs for 74 metres and 35 tackles before going off with 15 minutes to go, while three slick touches in the lead-up to Halasima’s try was a big highlight. 8
10 MITCH BARNETT: Only lasted 21 minutes (making four runs and 16 tackles) before being cut down by a potentially catastrophic knee injury. 5
11 KURT CAPEWELL: Again the stats (nine runs for 71 metres, 27 tackles with seven misses) don’t quite reflect the effort plays the veteran puts in. Great kick-chase and clean-up. 7
12 MARATA NIUKORE: What a renaissance it has been in recent weeks for Niukore. Played all but four minutes, seemed to make much more impact with the ball than 10 runs for 95 metres suggests, and reeled off 34 tackles. 7.5
13 ERIN CLARK: Rinse and repeat for the NRL’s buy of the year. Made 13 runs for 132 metres – including a stack of tough carries with quick play-the-balls – and toiled for a remarkable 48 tackles in 55 minutes. So important to this side’s success and a runaway favourite at this stage for the Simon Mannering Medal and TWL Kingz Container Crew Player of the Year award. 8
14 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Came on for the last 16 minutes at hooker and did the job, making a couple off good runs and 16 tackles. 5.5
15 LEKA HALASIMA: Bumped back to the bench and responded superbly in 45 minutes on the park. Brilliant finish to a wonderful team try to open the second-half account, made seven runs for 58 metres and 19 tackles without a miss. 6.5
16 DEMETRIC VAIMAUGA: Only 29 minutes but massive impact, with nine runs for 84 metres, 17 tackles and one of his team-high three offloads leading to Halasima’s try. One error coming out of his own end but otherwise excellent. 7
17 JACKSON FORD: The Warriors’ best last week according to everyone but the blinkered Dally M judges, Ford was super-industrious once again with 15 runs for 153 metres and 37 tackles, along with a remarkable grubber try assist. Another fine effort in a great season. 7.5
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