TWL Rd 16: Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings

Big scores for some spine stars in the Warriors' win over the Cowboys in Christchurch.

The Warriors’ key-position players stand out in this week’s Kingz Container Crew player ratings, but there were impressive individual performers across the park in their 38-20 win over the Cowboys.

1 Taine Tuaupiki: On a day where his main competitor for the fullback spot had a four-try blinder on the wing, TT still took a firmer grip on the No.1 jumper with a dazzling performance in the second half in particular. Tuaupiki finished with two line-breaks, nine tackle-breaks and a game-high 218 run metres from 20 runs, scored a neat try to complete the Warriors’ scoring and had a decent time of it at the back. 8.5

2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak: Two line-breaks including a second-half try, 18 runs for 178 metres, and error-free. More than handy. 7.5

3 Ali Leiataua: Came in for plenty of work with 13 runs for 119 metres and grabbed an intercept to snuff out a dangerous Cowboys movement. Didn’t have to do a lot defensively otherwise, while also had an error and gave away a penalty. 7

4 Adam Pompey: A couple of silky try assists for Charnze was the highlight of Pompey’s afternoon, but also followed through to score a try from a Cowboys error, while he made 12 runs for 79 metres and 17 tackles. A forward pass call denied another try assist. 7.5

5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: Grabbed a first-half hat-trick — the first of his NRL career — in his first start on the wing since 2017, while he had 140 run metres by halftime. Soon after the break, he became just the ninth player to score four tries in a match for the Warriors. A bit quiet thereafter and ended up with 187 metres on 18 carries. 8

6 Chanel Harris-Tavita: Palmed off as Drinkwater scored in the first half but atoned with a wonderful pass to send CNK away for his third try. Had another key hand in two more of Charnze’s tries, kicked soundly and made 13 tackles. 7

7 Te Maire Martin: TMM’s ball-playing tested the Cowboys on both sides of the ruck during the first half, while he came into his own in the second stanza with a miraculous try-saving effort, a brilliant assist for DWZ (among three line-break assists) and a pinpoint bomb that resulted in Pompey’s try. Overall kicking game was much more assured playing behind a dominant pack. 8.5

22 Mitch Barnett: Hearty first-half performance from the late-inclusion captain, chewing through 16 runs for 129 metres. Came back for a 13-minute stint to tally a highly impressive 24 runs for 191 metres for the day along with 28 tackles, though a handling error and having the ball stripped were unfortunate moments. 7.5

9 Wayde Egan: Had the Cowboys in all sorts with his running game in the first half — making 97 metres in the first half alone from seven runs — but a line-break that should have finished with a try assist was foiled by a Drinkwater intercept. Brilliant long ball from dummy-half prior to that sent CNK in for his second. Another superb piece of deception to lay on Tuaupiki’s sealer and reeled off 26 tackles. Put himself right in the NSW frame for the decider. 9

10 Jackson Ford: The ironman exited after 20 minutes with a worrying pec injury, by which stage he had five runs for 54 metres and 11 tackles. 5.5

11 Jacob Laban: A persistent threat on the left edge, making a break to help set up CNK’s second and running great lines all day — including a bust late in the first half — that felt more frequent than nine runs for 74 metres. Climbed to take a bomb but was denied a try by a knock-on call. Made 27 tackles but missed eight. 8

12 Marata Niukore: Didn’t exactly shine eye-test wise, but was fairly busy in 54 minutes with eight runs for 72 metres and 22 tackles without a miss. 6

13 Erin Clark: Industrious in the middle with 16 runs for 133 metres and 27 tackles, and got his passing game going. Two second-half penalties were a slight downer but helped set the tone for a emphatic collective engine-room effort. 7.5

8 Tanner Stowers-Smith: Immediate impact from the hometown hero with 81 metres and 20 tackles by halftime after coming on around the 20-minute mark. Played 48 minutes and finished with 18 runs for 180 metres and a team-high 32 tackles. TSS’s progression is such a boost in light of the injuries to JFH and Ford. 8

15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava: Saw 46 minutes of gametime and worked hard defensively for 25 tackles, but a little quiet on the attacking side with seven runs for 55 metres. 6

16 Demetric Vaimauga: Passing game was a standout feature in the middle, but was otherwise solid with nine carries for 69 metres and 19 tackles in 42 minutes across two stints. 6.5

21 Makaia Tafua: Two short stints for the local boy, making two runs and 10 tackles — looked very much at home without any standout moments. 5.5