TWL RD 24: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS

A win is still, by definition, a win – no matter how ugly, sloppy, fortunate or uninspiring.

And this dub, 14-10 over a St George Illawarra side that lost three middle forwards to failed HIAs inside half an hour, was uglier, sloppier and luckier than most.

But if was also invaluable, snapping a three-match losing run, catapulting the Warriors back into the top four and punching their finals series ticket for just the 10th time in 31 seasons in the premiership (and third in 14 years).

There was also a fair bit of character on display from Andrew Webster’s charges, down 10-0 after 20 minutes and still 10-4 behind – with a 10-3 error count against them – with 20 minutes to go.

But an Adam Pompey double, atoning for two bad misses as opposing centre Mat Feagai breezed through for a first-half brace, and some belatedly cool-headed play and stiff defence, got the Warriors home for just their second win from their last six at Mount Smart.

The Kingz Container Crew player ratings reflect the up-and-down overall display, which provides an excellent platform ahead of three ultra-winnable remaining games against bottom-half teams Gold Coast, Parramatta and Manly.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Struggled for genuine impact for most of the night but was super-safe at the back, had 139 metres on 18 runs and laid on both of Pompey’s tries. The heads-up play to duck down the blind on the last for the match-winner was a big gamble and a tremendous one. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: No opportunities down the Dragons’ end, but this was arguably the most 2023-24 DWZ we’ve seen this year. Rediscovered his ball-carrying mojo with a string of full-throttle charges to finish with 18 runs for 171 metres (70 post-contact) and no glaring misreads on defence, nor any errors or penalties. 7.5

3 ADAM POMPEY: Made Mat Feagai look like the love child of Mal Meninga and Steve Renouf with a pair of dreadful defensive efforts as his opposite scored a double inside 20 minutes, as well as giving away a pair of penalties. But ultimately enjoyed one of his more prolific nights on the carry with 170 metres (73 post-contact) from 15 runs and full redeemed himself with two late tries to get the Warriors home. 6.5

4 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Solid rather than spectacular, but churned out 105 metres from 11 runs and made 19 tackles without a miss. 6

5 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Chewed through the metres again with 24 runs for 265 metres (103 post-contact), and came up with a sensational try assist with an offload while pinned against the sideline. One error but otherwise top-shelf. 8

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: After a tough night carrying the playmaking can against the Bulldogs, CHT was back to his adlib best – backing up to score an important try, putting on big hits, probing, putting on big hits and kicking reasonably well. Ten runs for 94 metres and 23 tackles and 45 passes sums up his heavy involvement. 7.5

7 TANAH BOYD: Not the slickest performance and was targeted a bit in defence (six missed tackles), but looked better once he started taking the line on and had eight runs for 84 metres. Also kicked well, kick-started the movement for Pompey’s first try and slotted a pressure score-levelling conversion. 6.5

8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Ran the ball hard and strong (122 metres from 11 carries) and racked up 23 tackles, but two handling errors and two penalties conceded were less than ideal from the skipper. 5.5

9 WAYDE EGAN: Typically sound until being replaced with nine minutes to go, making a few well-timed dummy-half probes and reeling off 44 tackles. 6

10 JACKSON FORD: Three errors and two ruck infringements, but it’s hard to be too critical of a bloke who made a team-high 53 tackles, 18 runs for 157 metres and two offloads in a 67-minute shift at the coalface. 7

11 LEKA HALASIMA: Three handling errors made for a rocky night, but the rookie teenager put his stamp on the game with one tackle-busting effort that led to CHT’s vital first-half response. Eight runs for 75 metres and 25 tackles. 5.5

12 MARATA NIUKORE: Played the full 80 minutes, a rarity, and made some strong charges among 10 carries for 95 metres, along with 26 tackles. But missed seven tackles and his slow lateral movement sliding in defence continues to be a problem. 5.5

13 ERIN CLARK: Perhaps not as noticeable as most weeks, but got through a mountain of work again in 49 minutes, finishing with 12 runs for 132 metres and 39 tackles. 7

14 SAM HEALEY: Thrown on with nine minutes to go and the scores locked at 10-all in something of a vote of confidence for the rookie rake. Didn’t get a chance to really impart his influence but looked comfortable as the Warriors found their way to a win, taking some good last-tackle options and making his tackles. 5

15 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: Played 33 minutes of the second half but made just two nondescript runs. More impressive defensively with 17 tackles and no misses. 5

16 DEMETRIC VAIMAUGA: Keep producing the goods, churning out 10 runs for 87 metres and 31 tackles with no misses in an authoritative 42 minutes from the tyro. 7

17 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Continues to get through a lot of work during his time on the field – this time the lightweight prop racking up nine runs for 84 metres and 21 tackles in 33 minutes. Popped a good offload in the lead-up to Chanel’s try. 6

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