Though it will require the assistance of another Wests Tigers miracle to deliver a minor premiership, the One NZ Warriors’ 31-30 win over Manly at a heaving Go Media Stadium provided some invaluable pre-finals practice in delivering in the clutch.
Of course, leaking 30 points to an out-of-contention team — particularly on the back of a ragged defensive showings in the previous fortnight — was less than ideal and upcoming playoffs opponents will be targetting the Warriors’ frail, disconnected edges.
But from an individual standpoint, there were ample positives in a victory that gave the Warriors a club-record 18 wins. Here’s your last Kingz Container Crew player ratings on an unforgettable 2026 regular season.
18 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Suprisingly benched on Team List Tuesday, Tuaupiki got a late reprieve and staked a huge finals claim with a maiden career hat-trick — including a sensational solo equaliser with 12 minutes to go. Add to that a spectacular chase and cover tackle on Jason Saab, a team-high 170 metres from 15 runs and equal-game-high eight tackle-breaks, and it was a fruitful day out for the livewire. 8.5
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Moving from fullback to centre to wing during the lead-up, CNK’s highlights came in the form of running onto a TMM long ball and a superb grab of a cross-field kick to notch a double. But 10 runs for 75 metres was a modest return, while he was caught out by quicksilver opposite Lehi Hopoate more than once. 6
2 ADAM POMPEY: After reports he has been give permission to leave a year early, backing up to score the Warriors’ first try was a nice moment for the out-of-favour stalwart. Was the most industrious of the three-quarter line with 12 runs for 126 metres but had a couple of regrettable defensive reads. 6.5
3 ALI LEIATAUA: A reasonable day on attack with 10 runs for 100 metres and a line-break assist, but some defensive decisions and missed tackles were less encouraging ahead of finals match-ups with some of the NRL’s elite centres. 5.5
5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: AKP heads into the finals on the back of a few scratchy showings and there was little to remember this one positively for, failing to score for just the fifth time as a Warrior, making only eight runs for 69 metres and coming up with several defensive misses and misreads. 4.5
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Slotting the 77th-minute field goal to win the match was a great moment in an otherwise average evening for CHT. Had a pass intercepted by Saab — leading to a Manly try on the next play — and didn’t have any try involvements. Five runs for 56 metres, 11 tackles with four misses and two errors. 6
7 TE MAIRE MARTIN: A dazzling return from a month on the sidelines. Hit both second-rowers flat and short to help lay on the Warriors’ first two tries, turned Tuaupiki under for their third, fired an unbelievable left-to-right cut-out ball for their fourth and put up the bomb for their fifth. Also made 117 metres from 16 runs and 16 tackles. 8.5
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Got amongst the hard yards on attack with 18 runs for 133 metres. Only had to make 13 tackles in 53 minutes and gave away two penalties. 6.5
9 SAM HEALEY: Relished his first run-on appearance of the season and big minutes, racking up 10 runs for 92 metres and 21 tackles either side of an injury break after being on the receiving end of a hip drop. Valuable game-time ahead of the finals. 7
10 MITCH BARNETT: Industrious again though, like JFH, well-contained by the Manly forwards as he finished with 17 runs for 136 metres. Notched 16 tackles. 7
11 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: Strong showing in his maiden NRL start, producing a great early try assist and churning out 11 runs for 81 metres and 20 tackles. 7
12 JACOB LABAN: A wonderful try assist for Tuaupiki and was particularly aggressive in the first half, finishing the game with 15 runs for 114 metres and a team-high 22 tackles. Two handling errors. 8
13 ERIN CLARK: The Warriors’ most damaging ball-runner, the reigning Dally M Lock of the Year powered through 152 metres on 17 runs and ramped up his passing game, including a try involvement. Only had to make 11 tackles. 8
14 MAKAIA TAFUA: Made his third NRL appearance and enjoyed a career-high 24 minutes, during which time he made three runs for 28 metres and eight tackles. 5.5
15 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Yet again packed a ton of work into his game-time, contributing 12 runs for 119 metres in 34 minutes, along with 13 tackles. Always adds notable energy. 7.5
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: A busy passing game was the most eye-catching aspect of the bruiser’s performance, but also had nine runs for 57 metres and 16 tackles in 32 minutes. 6.5
17 MORGAN GANNON: After two of the briefest appearances in Warriors history, Gannon belatedly proved his worth in a 46-minute outing. Regularly tested the Manly defence with 16 runs for 126 metres, was credited (somewhat contentiously) with a try assist for Tuaupiki’s match-winner and made 15 tackles. 7.5
Tuaupaki running down Saab was a great moment. Happened right in front of us in the east stand. That was the loudest I yelled all game.
What's Erin's score please?
And did Ali go off the field at some stage? I am to remember Eddie filing in at centre at some point.....
Erin Clarke doesn't have a number