TWL Rd 3: Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings

Tanah and Jackson are opening up an early lead in the KCC Player of the Year stakes.

No shortage of Kingz Container Crew-worthy performances in another statement win from the Warriors in Newcastle.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Never lets anyone down when given the chance at fullback and this was no exception. The livewire ran for 187 metres – second only to Ford – on 17 carries, made a game-high seven tackle-breaks and unselfishly gave the fulltime try to Hanson after making a searing line-break. But arguably the most impressive feature of the 83kg dynamo’s performance was a string of tremendous bomb takes under pressure and brave try-saving tackles on both big Knights wingers. 8

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Largely an underwhelming afternoon with a bad drop that almost gifted the Knights a try, another error and a penalty. But a superb offload to set up the last-minute try was a nice way to finish, while he was a willing ball-carrier with 14 runs for 114 metres. 5.5

3 ALI LEIATAUA: Though the attacking weapon made a mere eight runs for 39 metres, this may represent something of a breakout performance after some shaky defensive efforts. The tyro racked up 27 tackles with just one miss and had little trouble with danger-man Bradman Best. 6

11 LEKA HALASIMA: The back-row sensation doesn’t exactly look at home out in the centres and he can much more of an influence on a contest in the pack, but he nevertheless managed to make his mark one spot wider. Halasima had 12 runs for 120 metres, ran a good line to score his 14th try from his last 17 games and handled wily veteran Dane Gagai well. 7.5

5 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Few opportunities to stand out in the attacking half of the field but rolled up the sleeves in typical fashion to finish with 19 runs for 181 metres. Got a little melancholy thinking about the prospect of our club legend finishing his NRL career elsewhere 😢 7

6 LUKE HANSON: Took a little time to settle on debut but never looked out of place and produced a gem of a pass to put Halasima over. Strong defensively with 21 tackles, sharp when he ran and backed up to accept a charitable try from Tuaupiki on fulltime. I’m more confident in his ability to step into any breach required than I was pre-game. 7

7 TANAH BOYD: The bare stats are outstanding enough – a try, two line-breaks, two try assists, 13 runs for 125 metres, 15 tackles, 653 kicking metres (including 23 of the Warriors’ 25 general play kicks) and five-from-six off the tee. But his confidence and control is so striking. Boyd is not the main reason the Warriors are winning, but he’s the more responsible than anyone else for them winning so well. And if you’re asking me: no, I don’t think they can drop him when everyone’s fit. 9

8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Was up and about on attack early – narrowly denied a try on a couple of occasions – and got his reward in the second half by storming up in support to finish off a memorable 55-metre try. Enormous again in his bread-and-butter departments, churning out 18 runs for 162 metres and 29 tackles. Fabulous start to the season. 8

9 WAYDE EGAN: The elite rake hasn’t overly stood out during this trio of thrashings – but he has needed to. Instead, he expertly marshals the ruck and puts his passes on a dime with metronomic effect, contributing significantly to how smoothly the Warriors run. Go back and look at Clark’s, Ford’s, Halasima’s and Boy’s tries: Egan gives his players a fraction of a second extra time that most other teams don’t get from their dummy-half. Made 25 tackles and five runs for 52 metres. 7.5

10 JACKSON FORD: Boyd may finally have checked the on-fire front-rower’s perfect Dally M streak, but it would surprise if Ford is not right amongst the votes again this week. Played the entire 80 minutes and topped the run metres (236 from 23 carries) and tackle (44) counts, made two line-breaks and scored a try. Start measuring him up for a sky blue jumper. 9

12 JACOB LABAN: Another solid shift in his 22nd NRL appearance and ninth start. Played 63 minutes and toiled for 93 metres on 11 runs and 20 tackles. 6.5

17 MORGAN GANNON: An unfortunate NRL introduction for the Pom with four tackles, a ruck infringement and zero runs before being rubbed out by an HIA just five minutes in. 3

13 ERIN CLARK: Barnstorming maiden try for the Warriors before getting down to his usual sleeves-rolled-up business, notching 15 runs for 138 metres and 23 tackles. Busy in the ball-playing stakes with 14 passes, including a line-break assist. 7.5

17 MARATA NIUKORE: Injected early and put in a fine 63-minute shift across two stints. Punchy with ball in hand (13 runs for 94 metres) and strong defensively (30 tackles, no misses). Might’ve added another 50k to his bargaining power if indeed the Knights are favourites for his services from 2027. 7

23 MITCH BARNETT: Played 36 minutes in his first outing since June 1 last year…and geez, wasn’t it dripping with quality? Raring to go with his first carry, deftly laid on a try for Ford a few minutes later and power through 121 metres on 11 runs to strongly suggest the Warriors have the best front-row rotation in the NRL. 7.5

15 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Things didn’t quite go his way in 44 minutes on the park – making an error and giving away a penalty – but worked hard without the ball (29 tackles) and made eight runs for 71 metres. It’s been a somewhat understated start to the season with Fish and Ford so dominant, but he’ll get his chance to explode all over the NRL soon enough. 6

14 SAM HEALEY: Played the last 23 minutes, the latter half of which were as a sort of roaming loose forward after Egan returned from an HIA. Busy and probing with six runs for 54 metres and made 12 tackles. 5