TWL RD 22: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
With four key players rubbed out of last week’s line-up through injury on the back of an ordinary loss to the team coming last, you just about would’ve taken a 20-18 loss to the Dolphins pre-game.
Gutsy as it was with a patched-together 17, though, the heartbreaking nature of the defeat and its disastrous flow-on effect for the Warriors’ top-four hopes – and potentially even their position in the Top 8 – makes it a hard one to swallow.
Arguably the better side on the night, the Warriors’ turnaround was remarkable after conceding three soft tries to trail 16-6 after half an hour.
But some colossal ball-carrying, most notably from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, out of their own half and admirable persistence along with some superb scramble defence put the hosts in front for the first time with 20 minutes to go – hanging onto an 18-16 lead until the dying seconds, when a helter skelter last-tackle movement saw the 12-man (after Felise Kaufusi’s sin-binning) Dolphins snatch the result through a Jamayne Isaako try.
Impressive individual displays abounded, however, and are duly recognised in this week’s Kingz Container Crew player ratings.
14 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Provided Andrew Webster with plenty of food for first-choice thought with a dynamic performance. Had 19 runs for 184 metres with his speed, footwork and knack of getting in between defenders, racked up six tackle-breaks and produced a lovely touch in the lead-up to both of DWZ’s tries. Couple of shaky moments under the high ball but on the whole excellent. 8
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Something of a bounce-back after copping a warranted torrent of criticism, with two strong finishes for his two tries, 17 runs for 182 metres with seven tackle-breaks and one wonderful defensive play to save a try with 15 minutes left. A few teeth-gritting moments, though, including kicking the ball into touch when he should’ve dived on it and a high tackle from behind that gave the Dolphins a fresh set that they scored the match-winner from. 6.5
3 ADAM POMPEY: Switched to the right and had two slick try assists for his winger but didn’t do a great deal else. Ten runs for 78 metres and 12 tackles, with five misses as Herbie Farnworth ran amok before mercifully doing a hammy 18 minutes in. 5
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Looked comfortable at centre but pretty quiet until the last 20 minutes or so, eventually finishing with eight runs for 91 metres with four tackle-breaks. Sound in defence. 6.5
5 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: A ball-carrying behemoth, churning out an unbelievable 331 metres (102 post-contact) on 27 runs with eight tackle-breaks. Not many wingers in the comp are providing better value. 8.5
6 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Got better as the game wore on, having a hand in DWZ’s second try and impressing with his running game (111 metres, one line-break) and support play, as well as some deft kicks. Made 21 tackles in a solid all-round showing. 7
7 TANAH BOYD: Straightened the attack nicely in the lead-up to Dallin’s two tries and put up the pinpoint kick for Leka’s. Otherwise a bit patchy with a few kicking miscues, a bad obstruction penalty and some ball-playing limitations, along with eight missed tackles. Two booming sideline conversions. 5.5
12 MARATA NIUKORE: Moved to the middle in a late change and was strong on the carry with an adequate nine runs for 91 metres in 44 minutes. Eighteen tackles with four misses was less auspicious and had a first-half error. 5.5
9 SAM HEALEY: An absolute adlib specialist and a joy to watch, adding an irresistible point of difference. Eleven runs for 98 metres with four tackle-breaks, two offloads and a line-break assist, creating havoc around the halfway mark. Made 38 tackles, too. Too good for NSW Cup. 7.5
10 JACKSON FORD: Essentially the Warriors’ front-row spearhead after a slew of injuries and lived up to that billing with 17 runs for 144 metres and 40 tackles in 64 minutes. Came close to scoring on a couple of occasions and was unlucky to get pinged for an incorrect play-the-ball. 7.5
11 LEKA HALASIMA: Keeps churning out similarly solid numbers every week (10 runs for 94 metres, 38 tackles) and keeps scoring tries, taking his season tally to a team-high 10 (the most by a Warriors forward since 2002) after again proving himself as an aerial specialist. Couple of errors is perhaps a slightly less impressive showing than most weeks. 7
4 KURT CAPEWELL: Reverted to the second-row and the stand-in skipper was one of the Warriors’ best. Carved out 126 metres and five tackle-breaks from 13 runs and racked up 31 tackles. 8
13 ERIN CLARK: One of the Dally M Lock of the Year contender’s most industrious displays of the season – and it’s a rich area. Made 18 runs for 201 metres with four tackle-breaks, along with 35 tackles, two offloads and a hand in a try. 8
15 JACOB LABAN: Surprisingly left collecting splinters until deep into the second half but made his 17 minutes count with five runs for 64 metres, plus 10 tackles without a miss. 5.5
16 FREDDY LUSSICK: Decent 19-minute dummy-half stint in his first NRL hit-out of the year. Looked to have pulled off a big play by smashing Isaiya Katoa but was unluckily pulled up for a knock-on. Twelve tackles, no runs, service a touch slow. 5
17 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Made 20 tackles without a miss in 30 minutes and genuinely stings in defence, while made five strong runs for 43 metres. 6
18 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: Absolutely looked the goods in a 25-minute debut and was busy, making seven runs for 58 metres and 20 tackles. Another very exciting prospect. 7
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