TWL RD 8: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
Another Ōtautahi sell-out witnessed the Warriors’ most comfortable and convincing win of 2025, albeit not without its frustrations and flat spots – a 26-12 defeat of embattled Newcastle Knights.
A 6-0 lead after 25 minutes didn’t feel like enough given their level of dominance, though the Warriors dodged a couple of bullets via the Bunker (as did the Knights) before a rapid Jackson Ford double provided a healthy 16-0 halftime buffer.
The Warriors recovered from a tardy start to the second stanza with tries to Wayde Egan and Adam Pompey, always looking in control before a Knights garbage-time try added some respectability to the scoreline.
Again the JFH-less pack stood tall opposite an engine-room boasting multiple internationals, while Luke Metcalf showed arguably his most encouraging signs yet that he can become a quality No.7 – as well as producing some key non-halfback-related moments.
The victory was the Warriors’ first on Anzac Day since 2014 and suitably poignant with the Burnham Military Camp’s involvement, which extended to a blockbusting halftime performance from Savage. Some locals were no doubt wistful at the likely end of 113 years of rugby league at Rugby League Park (aka Addington Show Grounds), the patch of dirt where so many iconic grand finals, provincial triumphs, and more recently NRL and Test matches, have been played.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have won five of their first seven for just the fifth time in their history and sit equal-second only a win off the competition lead – an outstanding platform heading into Magic Round for a team that still has so much more growth in them.
Now get some Kingz Container Crew player ratings into ya.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Celebrated his contract extension in trademark style, making a game-high 28 runs for 266 metres with six tackle-breaks. Rock-solid at the back. We could certainly do worse than having this guy in the No.1 until the end of 2028. 8
2 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Missed out on a spectacular try by the barest of margins, but did his job very well again with 15 searching runs for 133 metres and competed well in a busy night defensively up against powerhouse Greg Marzhew. 7
3 ROCCO BERRY: Familiar statlines – big defensive load with 28 tackles (albeit with seven misses) and a modest seven runs for 72 metres – with no notable highlights. Should’ve come up with a better attempt on Marzhew midway through the first half, but the cover defence saved his blushes. Should’ve done better a couple of minutes later with a good look at an attacking bomb, instead spilling it, one of two errors. I can’t justify keeping him in a full-strength three-quarter line, but will Webster? 5
4 ALI LEIATAUA: Could’ve scored the second himself but flick-passed inside for Ford to dive over. Twelve runs for 101 metres but zero tackle-breaks, 14 tackles but a poor one-on-one miss on Dane Gagai that led to the Knights’ first try. Hasn’t looked as comfortable on the left after starting to dominate on the right – another genuine reason for Webby to pick Pompey over Berry. 6
5 ADAM POMPEY: Set the tone with a couple of physical runs then stood up his opposite to score an excellent first try. Spilled a bomb for the second week in a row, then snared one on attack and offloaded brilliantly to set up the second try…then coughed up another for Schiller to score, which was subsequently pulled back. Sealed the result by muscling over after picking up a loose pass with nine minutes left. Finished with 171 metres from 18 carries, which must be somewhere near a career-high. Game-high eight tackle-breaks. Deserves to be there somewhere at full-strength. 8
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Terrorised the Knights’ left side with his bombs during the first half, resulting in two tries. Racked up 25 tackles but largely shelved his running game and was a little quiet. 6.5
7 LUKE METCALF: Sizzling early line-break and offload for Leka was close to his finest attacking moment since taking over in the No.7. Just about trumped it soon after with a superb pass that almost put Tuaupiki over, then set up Ford’s second try with some nice ball-playing. Huge intercept play that proved a game-changer, leading to a 20-6 lead instead of a possible 16-12 scoreline. Kicked reasonably well, only ran one other time besides his too long breaks – but overall his most encouraging performance to date despite a couple of errors. 7.5
8 MITCH BARNETT: Another big captain’s knock against his former club, making 33 tackles without a miss and 14 runs for 142 metres in 52 minutes. Looking very much like the NSW and Australian forward of 2024 again. 7.5
9 WAYDE EGAN: A class above at dummy-half, ran for 116 metres and shimmied over for a second-half try on top of 43 tackles without a miss. Would not look out of place in a sky blue jersey either. 8
12 MARATA NIUKORE: Getting binned inside two minutes wasn’t part of the plan for the late move to prop and also had an HIA break in a disjointed night. But nine runs for 79 metres and 23 tackles in 34 minutes could be a pointer to a potential ongoing role with Leka demanding more game-time. 6
11 KURT CAPEWELL: Seemed to be everywhere in the first half – including a line-break and a try assist – and finished with 13 runs for 104 metres and 33 tackles, featuring plenty of trademark clean-up work. 7.5
14 LEKA HALASIMA: Got the late call to start again and set the crowd alight with a early burst that almost resulted in a try. No other major standout moments but looks a threat every time he touches the ball and made 122 metres from 11 runs along with 23 tackles. Looks more than comfortable starting. 7
13 ERIN CLARK: Rinse and repeat for the NRL buy-of-the-year contender, producing another powerhouse peformance with increased minutes. Led the Warriors’ forwards again with 155 metres from 17 carries, topped the tackle count with 45 and had a try assist. His value can’t be understated in a squad that was meant to have Tohu Harris and Dylan Walker in it. 8
8 JACKSON FORD: Bumped back to the bench but backed up to score a try not long after entering the fray, then had a second only seven minutes later in a dream 50-game celebration for the club. Backed it up with 16 runs for 147 metres and 26 tackles (no misses) in another big performance for the reborn middle forward. 8
15 BUNTY AFOA: Just 15 minutes for the veteran, making four strong hit-ups and 11 tackles, but also gave away a penalty. 5
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Great work-rate in just 27 minutes, with 11 runs for 83 metres and 14 tackles. Coming along very nicely. 7
17 JACOB LABAN: Sound 37-minute contribution off the bench in his ninth NRL game, with six runs and 27 tackles without a miss. Does not look out of place at all. 6.5
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