TWL RD 17: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW PLAYER RATINGS
To paraphrase a Dave Chappelle stand-up bit, the Warriors’ 32-16 win over a depleted Brisbane Broncos outfit was like an above-ground pool.
It’s a win…and it’ll do for now.
And after last week’s Gold Coast massacre, the scrappy performance against a team boasting just seven members of the Broncos line-up that blew them off Suncorp Stadium in last year’s prelim may as well have been an infinity pool at the Bellagio. For the stats boffins out there, it was the fifth time on the trot the Warriors have won after conceding 50-plus in their previous game.
The Warriors raced out to a 16-0 lead – pretty much routine for Mt Smart Stadium fixtures. Almost as familiarly, they let the ragtag and visitors back into the contest, causing severe palpitations at 16-10 after 51 minutes and 22-16 with 15 minutes remaining.
Unlike their home defeats to the Sharks, Titans and Storm, though, the Warriors finished the stronger, manfacturing two late tries to close out two competition points more valuable than most after a tough week for the club and the squad.
A composed and potent performance from the Warriors’ halves and a dominant engine-room display, led by NSW’s 18th man, was ultimately more than enough to consign the Origin- and injury-hit Broncos (who also lost a starting second-rower after five minutes) to a fourth straight loss; no surprises who earned the highest scores in this week’s Kingz Container Crew Player Ratings.
The upshot is the Warriors are still in the thick of the finals race despite remaining in 13th spot – but much better will be required to overcome the gritty and rapidly-improving Bulldogs in Sydney next Saturday.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Typically industrious (17 runs for 162 metres) and came up with some big stops to prevent tries (although one earned a dubious shoulder-charge penalty), but some shaky moments at the back that narrowly avoided disaster and cold drops of high balls he’d normally gobble up. 6
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Scored a wonderful aerial try and a vital juncture and drew a couple of penalties among his 15 runs for 128 metres. A handling error and a couple of missed tackles but stepped up when it counted. 7
3 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: A drought-breaking win at centre for RTS – and he played an impressive part. Latched onto a grubber for a key try, his first as an NRL centre, and made some timely, pressure-relieving runs in racking up 125 metres on 14 carries. Opposite Selwyn Cobbo started to cut loose in the second half but generally had a decent game on defence. By virtue of wearing the No.3 jersey, also had the honour of being sponsored by Kingz Container Crew for the night
7
4 ADAM POMPEY: Not his best, but far from his worst. Denied a try with an illegal decoy run, had a couple of dusty moments on attack, gave away a penalty and managed only three-from-six off the tee. But handled Kotoni Staggs fairly well and made 11 runs for 96 metres. 5.5
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Not quite the performance you’d be after with Rocco Berry returning soon (among other in-form options) and someone having to make way in the three-quarter line. Good out of yardage as usual (11 runs for 127 metres), but got nutmegged as opposite Deine Mariner scored the Broncos’ first try from a cross-field kick and was left horrendously flat-footed as Mariner torched him for the visitors’ second. A couple of handling errors to boot. 4.5
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: While there’s a split in the fanbase’s preference for the No.7 jersey, it’s becoming apparent CHT is the best fit in the No.6 regardless of who he’s paired with. Plays the lieutenant role superbly and scored and outstanding early double, before going with an ace of a maiden NRL hat-trick. Kicks astutely, makes his tackles and tests the defence whether passing or running. 7.5
I’m just sad we never got to see a fully fit SJ with CHT
— Fonzie
(@fonzieswarriors) June 29, 2024
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: A fourth straight win at halfback for TMM with everything he touched coming off. Laid on four tries – one with a nice pass out the back, three with the boot – and ducked over for one from dummy-half, and was solid in most facets. Certainly not perfect, doesn’t have the anywhere near the range of attacking attributes of SJ, but what he’s providing as the chief playmaker is garnering more than satisfactory results. 8.5
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: Perhaps a touch unfairly targetted (compared to others) after last week’s debacle, but nevertheless pitched in here with 15 runs for 163 metres and 23 tackles to help dominate an undermanned Broncos pack. An error and a penalty. 7
9 WAYDE EGAN: Trademark excellent service from dummy-half, chose his times to run well and racked up 30 tackles. One ill-advised offload during the first half and was spelled after getting steamrolled by a tryscoring Xavier Willison with 15 minutes left. 6.5
12 MITCH BARNETT: Spared last week’s embarrassment while in Origin camp and played like the leader he has unequivocally developed into in this squad after a late switch back to prop. Racked up a game-high run metres tally (184 from 18 carries) and topped the Warriors’ tackle count (32) to assert the Warriors’ engine-room authority, before offloading for Lussick’s clincher. First class. 8.5
11 MARATA NIUKORE: A typically aggressive, tone-setting display in 68 minutes on the paddock, chalking up decent numbers (10 runs for 94 metres and 22 tackles) in the process. One of two penalties he gave away was an exasperating offside one on the fifth after the Warriors had pinned the Broncos down to their 10-metre line. 6.5
17 KURT CAPEWELL: On the back of becoming the Warriors’ newest Origin rep, was elevated to the starting line-up and played 66 minutes despite a reasonably heavy load on Wednesday night. Didn’t exactly stand out but made eight runs for 84 metres and 23 tackles. 6
15 DYLAN WALKER: Elevated to the starting side again in another late change and was one of the busiest Warriors on the park, running for 170 metres on 18 carries and making 18 tackles, as well as having a minor hand in RTS’s try. 7
10 JACKSON FORD: Bit of a downgraded role after starting in the Warriors’ last 18 games and playing a stack of minutes in his new assignment as starting prop over the past three weeks. Played 35 minutes and was busy (seven runs for 64 metres, 15 tackles), but made a dreadful error on the first tackle from a set restart and gave away a penalty. 5.5
13 TOHU HARRIS: Moved back to the bench and played just 25 minutes, during which he ran the ball only twice – but churned through 27 tackles. Still a clear indication he’s very likely a long way from a hundred percent. 5
16 JAZZ TEVAGA: Played 29 minutes across two energy-boosting stints, making a noticeable impact with eight runs for 91 metres and 18 tackles without a miss. 6.5
14 FREDDY LUSSICK: One of the rake’s more memorable cameos after coming on to finish off the game in the 66th minute. Excellent wrap-around play with Barnett to dive over for the match-sealing try and pulled off one crunching tackle. 6.5
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