TWL RD 3: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
As well as the paradox of producing arguably their worst performance of the season so far but earning their first win of 2024, the Warriors’ tough 18-10 victory over Canberra in Christchurch contained some familiar features of the previous two rounds.
The Warriors looked like world-beaters during some periods and also-rans in others, and created enough scoring opportunities in the first half to win two games but failed to capitalise. But the result ultimately swung on a three-minute burst of brilliance that turned a 10-6 deficit into an eight-point lead when a third straight inconceivable loss was beginning to materialise with less than a quarter of the match left.
In line with another up-and-down collective display, the Kingz Container Crew player ratings are a mixed bag enhanced by the relief of two much-needed competition points.
1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Bit of blunder taking a high ball near the sideline in the first half but atoned with some important clean-up and defensive plays. Threatened to cut loose on multiple occasions and chalked up 122 metres before his night ended with a head knock in the 47th minute. Still awaiting that big breakout moment. 6
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: A ball-running beast with 112 metres on eight carries plus a line-break in the first half alone, while snapped Albert Hopoate in half right on the halftime. Turned the game with his arcing in-field run to put Metcalf over. A fired-up performance after being an unwitting fall guy in countless Xavier Coates replays for the previous six days and a contender as the best player on the park. 8.5
3 ROCCO BERRY: Set the tone early with a superb tackle on Hudson Young on the Warriors’ line, almost set up a try with a catch of an offensive bomb and took a high ball under pressure in the in-goal in a near-flawless first 20 minutes. Barely put a foot wrong in any department with his 20-tackle contribution arguably the standout, though he had a key hand in Metcalf’s try. 8
4 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Topped 100 running metres in the first half but was beaten by opposite Timoko for the Raiders’ first try. A couple of shaky moments early in his fullback stint but exploded to score the decisive try in trademark tackle-incinerating style. Peeled off 200 metres from 22 runs for the game. 7
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Got posterized by Timoko in the first half but also handled some pressure moments under the high ball. Shat the bed with a horrendous defensive decision to rush out of the line, creating an easy try for Cotric after the break. Partially atoned with a great cover tackle on Rapana and worked hard with 22 carries for 158 metres. 5.5
6 LUKE METCALF: Sizzling go-ahead try was the headline moment but a sound all-round game, generally looking slicker on the playmaking front – even if the left edge is still struggling for cohesion – and contributing with the boot as well as nine runs for 90 metres. 7
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Put Ford through a hole for the Warriors’ line-break and sent AFB over a minute later with another lovely ball. Had a more minor hand in both second-half tries, finished with 25 tackles as Hudson Young and Ethan Strange tested him out frequently, and generally controlled the game well with his kicking game. The Warriors look far more dangerous when he pops up on both sides of the ruck. 7.5
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: Ran a great line to enhance his reputation as the NRL’s premier tryscoring front-rower and bag the opener and came within inches of the second after backing up a kick. Racked up 75 metres from five carries in his first stint and 84 from 10 runs in his second, while he reeled off 27 tackles for match. Elite again. 8
14 FREDDY LUSSICK: Similar to last week – did his job, serviceable at dummy-half (particularly notable in the first try), racked up 39 tackles in 68 minutes but running game did not feature. Filling a gaping hole reasonably well. 6
10 MITCH BARNETT: Came off after 18 minutes with just two runs and 10 tackles in the bank but was back on before halftime and ultimately played all but 18 minutes, finishing with tallies of 15 runs for 150 metres and 33 tackles against the club he debuted for. 7
11 JACKSON FORD: Eventful start with a dubious play-the-ball mistake, followed by a a barnstorming break where he bombed a try. Massive work-rate with 40 tackles and 17 runs for 164 metres, but gives off the unique appearance of getting in his teammates – and his own – way at times. 6.5
12 KURT CAPEWELL: Copped a bit last week despite battling away in Melbourne with sore ribs, but was more prominent against Canberra with 35 tackles and eight runs for 65 metres which included almost half a game at centre. 6.5
13 TOHU HARRIS: An absolute marvel – the tougher the game, the more the skipper throws his taped-together frame into it. A mighty 50 tackles, 17 hard carries for 130 metres and his busiest ball-playing effort of the season with 21 passes – including a line-break assist and a hand in Metcalf’s try. 8.5
15 TOM ALE: Big highlight-reel moment with a long break off his captain’s short ball and then linking impressively with Barnett in support. Made the most of his 24 minutes on the park with eight runs for 77 metres and 17 tackles. 6.5
16 BUNTY AFOA: Made 18 tackles in as many minutes in his first stint, but just the one carry. A short second-half foray included a couple of runs and nine more tackles. 6
20 JAZZ TEVAGA: The Burnham Chevaliers junior roused the home crowd with a couple of robust runs and punishing tackles in the first half after clocking in for AFB. Gave Webby a welcome selection headache with 10 runs for 101 metres and 27 tackles in 34 impactful minutes, after starting the year in NSW Cup. 7
23 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Rather eventful 12 minutes in at dummy-half, bafflingly not given a penalty after having his legs taken out from under him in the air by Jordan Rapana on a short dropout, and coming up with two handling errors as the Warriors muddled their way towards the win in the closing stages. 5
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