TWL Rd 17: Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings

Get your centre pairing catharsis right here!

I know who you’re here to read about…but there were some genuinely outstanding individual showings from the Warriors in a 26-24 heartbreaker against the Dolphins to brighten up the Kingz Container Crew player ratings.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: A tough day to be a diminutive fullback and had his challenges at the back, but was generally very good at the defensive end and positionally. Couldn’t find the breaks that he has in recent weeks, but was always probing and finished with a team-high 184 metres on 21 runs with four tackle-breaks. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A rocky start to the match under the high ball but recovered to score a well-taken try. A real trooper out of the Warriors’ end and had 12 runs for 102 metres when a hamstring injury ended his day in the 57th minute. Three errors, though one was an attempted intercept that potentially saved a try. 6.5

3 ALI LEIATAUA: An atrocious defensive decision gave opposite Farnworth a saloon passage for a first-half try, while he made a meal of whatever he was trying to do as Cobbo slithered through for the late leveller. Some strong carries in the second half to finish with 104 metres from 12 runs, but had trouble with Herbie (who racked up 10 tackle-breaks) all day long. 3.5

4 ADAM POMPEY: Four errors, a one-on-one lost ball that led to Isaako’s try late in the first half and getting stood up by opposing centre Bostock as Isaako scored his second made for a 2021-22 throwback display for a player that has painstakingly built a reputation as one of the Warriors’ more reliable in the Webster era. Stayed out of trouble a bit more on the wing — almost producing a try with a neat centring kick — until being part of the bumbling cohort that allowed Cobbo to score his decisive try. Made 19 runs for 150 metres and kicked a couple of big conversions among four-from-four, but also found himself on report for another knee-lift. 3

5 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Racked up 129 metres on 16 runs and scored another try in his wing renaissance, but Dolphins counterpart Isaako bagged a double — and neither made CNK look particularly good. 5.5

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: CHT’s boot put it on a dime for Laban’s twin aerial efforts in the first half, while he had a big hand in CNK’s try. Did the lion’s share of the kicking and was busy in the ball-playing department, but overall is struggling to deliver the impact that marked the back-end of his partnership with Boyd. 6

7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Huge try-saver in the corner on Cobbo (after almost stopping him from scoring earlier), had the try assist for Dallin after backing up Laban’s grab (after all but putting Capewell in early on) and made a line-break among 13 runs for 129 metres. Kicking game was arguably subpar on the whole with several bombs coming up too shallow, but another impressive performance playing to his strengths and was consistently dangerous with ball in hand. 8

8 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Rollicking opening stint with an inspirational try-saver to deny Nikorima in the corner and one memorable tackle-busting run among several strong charges. But after coming off in the 23rd minute, was only afforded the last 10 minutes and finished with just eight runs for 60 metres and 19 tackles. 7

9 WAYDE EGAN: Didn’t find the holes as easily as last week but tested the Dolphins’ defence consistently with six runs for 48 metres, while the wily rake made 26 tackles and was his usual clever, set-restart-attracting self before sitting out the last 20 minutes. 6.5

10 MITCH BARNETT: Another hefty shift from the skipper, leading all forwards on the field by some margin with 154 metres on 18 carries, including a line-break. A 59-minute effort included 35 tackles and he strived to set the tone for his side on both sides of the ball. 8

11 JACOB LABAN: The 22-year-old has come of age in 2026 and this was one of his best yet at NRL level. Climbed high to score the Warriors’ first try and set up their second, regularly bent the line back (for what felt like more than 10 runs for 69 metres), and was industrious and intimidating in defence in making a game-high 49 tackles. Absolutely outstanding. 8.5

12 KURT CAPEWELL: A welcome return for the Queensland Origin stalwart, but could arguably have done better with his gilt-edged tryscoring chance in the opening stages. Some big charges and a line-break among 11 runs for 82 metres and worked like a dog in defence with 44 tackles. 7.5

13 ERIN CLARK: Perhaps slightly subdued in attack with a well-below-average 94 metres from 12 runs, but made his presence felt with some strong runs, a line-break assist and 33 tackles without any misses. 6.5

14 SAM HEALEY: Got some decent match-closing minutes and enjoyed a massive moment when he backed himself and plunged over to put the Warriors in front — but the try will unfortunately be buried under the memory of the loss. Made another couple of dangerous runs and nine tackles during his 21 minutes. 6

15 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: An energetic shift in the pack followed by a very handy stint filling in at centre, highlighted by a try assist for Charnze. Finished arguably his best display in the top flight with 12 runs for 114 metres and 34 tackles. 7.5

16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Showed a range of skills with a nifty grubber that nearly produced a try and some hot-stepping, though an unnecessary penalty was a disappointing moment. Nine runs for 70 metres and 21 tackles…but should we expecting a bit more impact-wise from the tyro week to week after what he seemingly promised heading into the season? 6

17 MARATA NIUKORE: A short 17-minute burst, during which time he made three strong runs and 15 tackles. 5