TWL Rd 20: Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings
The Warriors grinded out an unconvincing win over the plucky and unlucky Dragons.
The Warriors kept a clean sheet in the second half to belatedly subdue gallant last-placed St George Illawarra 20-12 at Go Media Stadium on Saturday night.
In a disjointed first half, the Warriors’ tries to Adam Pompey in the third minute and Alofiana Khan-Pereira — a blazing solo effort — in the 32nd were quickly wiped out by soft Dragons four-pointers.
The Warriors struck early again after the break through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak but frustratingly were unable to build subsequent pressure.
After the Dragons controversially had a breakaway long-range try pulled back following a Pompey blunder, the Warriors sealed the shaky win and retained second spot on the NRL ladder with a pair of late penalty goals.
The tight nature of of the result reflected unflatteringly on the Warriors given they had 56 percent possession, ran for almost 600 more metres and averaged six metres more per set.
The Dragons came to play and were arguably the more creative and inventive with the ball, while they missed just 23 tackles (the Warriors missed 32) despite the lopsided possession count.
But in a round of upset losses and close calls for heavyweight, it was nevertheless a valuable two points for the Warriors, who themselves defended well on their own line in the second stanza.
A few standouts and misfires in the Kingz Container Crew Player Ratings.
1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Quiet first half but came into his own after the break, finishing with 215 metres on 23 runs and producing some important clean-up efforts. 7
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Huge return from injury, making two line-breaks, scoring a try and running for a game-high 229 metres on 22 carries. Some good work under pressure at the back, too. 8
3 ALI LEIATAUA: That’s what you wanna see from our centres. Lovley try assist and another slick line-break assist, 12 runs for 148 metres including a massive pressure-relieving bust in the second half, and a very good defensive display (18 tackles) to keep Valentine Holmes quiet. Bravo, Ali. 8
4 ADAM POMPEY: Muscled over for an early try but ultimately let the section of fanbase down that has been defending him through a recent form slump. Had a forgettable half as Setu Tu folded him in half on one occasion and took him into touch on another — the latter leading to the Dragons’ second try. Dreadful pass that went to ground could have (should have?) turned the games the Saints’ way in the second, but for a fortuitous Bunker call. Ten runs for 85 metres, nine tackles with three misses and three ineffective. 4.5
5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: Sizzling solo try was the individual highlight of a dull attacking night. Wasn’t afforded many other opportunities but racked up 151 metres on 12 runs. Didn’t have it all his own way opposite Setu Tu. 7
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Set up Pompey’s try, did the bulk of the kicking to a decent standard and made 17 tackles. A couple of ill-advised options and didn’t really get that left edge firing. 6
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: The 50-game milestone man turned in his least impressive performance since stepping into the halfback break, creating a few chances and taking on the line but making a couple of errors and finishing the night without a genuine highlight. Defensively very good and finished with 25 tackles. 6
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Made inroads on every carry during the first half (seven runs for 77 metres) and was outstanding again in his second stint to finish with 192 metrs on 18 runs (86 post-contact), along with 24 tackles. After a slightly underwhelming 2025, putting his name back in the ‘best prop in the world’ conversation this year. 8
9 WAYDE EGAN: Poor missed tackle that led to the Saints’ first try, after which he went off for an HIA. Had a few probing runs and topped the tackle count with 40. 6
10 MITCH BARNETT: A powerful 121-metre first stint and was integral to closing the game out by doing the tough stuff. Finished with 193 metres on 19 runs and 27 tackles. With Origin out of the way, looks fired up to finish his Warriors tenure with a bang. 8
11 KURT CAPEWELL: The freshly re-signed veteran did his usual one-percenters and clean-up work with aplomb, most notably trapping a kick and regaining possession to defuse a dangerous defensive scenario in the second half. Reeled off 36 tackles and made nine runs for 68 metres. 7
12 JACOB LABAN: A bit down on his recent elite-level form, making just five runs for 37 metres and 24 tackles (five misses) before being replaced by Leka with 27 minutes to go. 5.5
13 ERIN CLARK: Busy opening stint garnered seven runs for 80 metres and 19 tackles. Just as industrious and powerful with the ball in his second dig to finish with 159 metres from 15 runs, along with 29 tackles. 7
14 SAM HEALEY: A couple of short stints and added some spark, making four runs for 38 metres and putting the Dragons on their heels. 6
15 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Such a quality workhorse off the bench, churning through 15 runs for 151 metres and 29 tackles in 45 minutes. 7.5
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Only afforded 26 minutes but made his presence felt with six barnstorming runs for 81 metres and 16 tackles without a miss. Gee we’ve got a great prop rotation…even with Ford sidelined. 7
17 LEKA HALASIMA: Came on for the last 27 minutes and made a few bustling charges, as well as making some very important defensive stops. 6.5