TWL RD 9: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
The Warriors’ 2024 campaign is developing into the rugby league equivalent of a set of Russian matroyshka dolls, where you take apart their most disappointing performance only to find an inferior, less robust display waiting inside for you in the following round.
A 14-8 defeat in a Newcastle downpour essentially came down to the depleted Knights wanting it more and the half-interested visitors being unwilling to lay a platform or do anything out of the ordinary to come away with a slump-busting result.
As a change of pace, the Warriors chose to forgo the customary early lead after a hot start and cut straight to giving away pressure-relieving penalties and six-agains followed by goal-line incompetence – as per the past two rounds – to trail 8-0 after 15 minutes.
Despite a largely frustrating remainder of the half, the Warriors pegged the deficit back to two points by halftime thanks to a brave line from Dylan Walker to score under the post and an elite try-saver from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
After a levelling penalty and conditions worsening, the game was always going to be decided by who was willing to dig deepest on the own goal-line. Daniel Saifiti powered through Mitch Barnett for the only try of the second half, while the Knights repelled myriad subsequent waves of unimaginative Warriors attack to grab a deserved win.
The Warriors now find themselves 14th on the ladder and surely even lower in any power rankings. The only team that has played worse since their Round 5 thrashing of Souths, is Souths.
Now on to a horror fortnight on the road against two of the NRL’s in-form, heavy-hitting premiership contenders – the Roosters in Sydney and the Panthers in Brisbane. It will take a monumental turnaround to not be 3-1-7 and staring down the barrel of finals oblivion by the time that’s over.
Andrew Webster’s honeymoon period is unequivocally over…he’ll be working overtime to reignite the spark in the NRL’s favourite team-and-coach love story. But it may require him to make some tough personnel calls that’s he’s been able to avoid since taking the reins – because there’s a bunch of go-getters carving for a patched-up NSW Cup side that would relish the chance to take the spot of some of these King Container Crew player ratings battlers.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Got the afternoon off to a horrendous start with a gaffe (among three errors for the day) under his own posts to gift Tyson Gamble just one of three tries scored on the day. Another blunder a few metres out from the line was desperately lucky not to hand the Knights another try soon afterwards. Made up for it somewhat with a sensational try-saver on Dane Gagai later in the half. Attempt to strip Daniel Saifiti rather than wrap him up to prevent the try was less impressive. Toiled hard for an equal-game-high 168 metres on 20 carries but was more of a handbrake on the Warriors’ attack inside the 20 than a weapon. 5.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Shambolic first half where his best moment was climbing to take a cross-field kick only to drop it over the line in a double-illegal (early and in the air) tackle, dropping the ball with his first touch, missing multiple tackles and running for just 26 metres. Similar story after the break: a brilliant finish in the corner was foiled by an obstruction call, with his only other notable contribution stepping into touch in his own half while trying to put in a centring kick. Lifted his work-rate after the break to finish with 111 metres from 14 runs but was largely aimless. An outstanding body of work over the past 12 months will keep him in first grade but on form arguably doesn’t deserve to be after a dismal few weeks. 3.5
3 ROCCO BERRY: Free of the flashpoint bad moments in defence that have marred his performances in recent weeks, but a couple of misses down the Knights’ end, gave away a penalty and his trademark kick-chase game seemed a bit off. Most notable moment on attack was a lovely touch for DWZ’s disallowed try, though increased his ball-carrying involvement with 10 runs for 94 metres. 4.5
4 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Once again the best RTS looked was in moments that had little to do with him playing in the centres, like the tough carries that saw him rack up 135 metres from 17 runs. Not helped on attack by playing on a clunky edge but also not making a difference. A couple of big tackles in the same set during the second half, but a handling error and a penalty made for another forgettable day at centre, where he has a record of one win (where he played almost half the game at fullback), one draw and five losses. 5
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Rousing start with a couple of tackle-busting runs and excellent tackles, but went into his shell after a bomb spill that was lucky not to result in a Knights try. Few positives thereafter despite no balls-ups, but finished with 75 metres from 15 runs – an area that is meant to be his major strength. If he survives the drop to NSW Cup, he can thank the Bunker official who ruled in his favour when he bungled a play-the-ball in the latter stages. 4
6 TE MAIRE MARTIN: A stellar return against Souths has proved a flash in the pan for TMM, arguably the NRL’s foremost halves passenger in the ensuing month. Lacks creativity or the ability to straighten the attack, illustrated by the fact the Warriors haven’t scored a try to the left of the uprights in four games. Solid without the ball, making 22 tackles. Would be interesting to see the selection strategy when CHT becomes available, but at this stage Taine Tuaupiki and Ben Farr are shaping as deserving (if unlikely) options to shake things up with Martin perhaps a bench utility option. 4
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Hasn’t participated at training for a few weeks due to injury and it’s showing – though still the most creative player in the team by several lengths. Like last week, dropped off a few tackles but racked up 25 in a committed display on that side of the ball. Forced to do plenty of kicking from well inside his own half, while his options and execution off the boot near the Knights’ line largely missed the mark. Much more willing to take on the defence this week than last and made 18 runs for 86 metres. 5
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: Quite comfortably his team’s best once again. Matched CNK with 168 hard-earned metres from 19 runs after playing the first 47 minutes without a rest and coming back on for another 19-minute stint. Racked up 33 tackles and was one of the Warriors’ most oft-used attacking threats near the Knights line. Keeping very high standards in a floundering team. 7.5
9 WAYDE EGAN: A huge defensive shift (53 tackles) was the highlight of another subpar overall showing from the gun rake, who was unable to create much for his team, ran for just 26 metres, gave away two penalties and conceded an inside-the-10 six-again. 5
10 MITCH BARNETT: One of the Warriors’ best during this recent downturn but probably one of his less memorable outings for the club – despite several customary big effort plays. A penalty and an error sullied his opening shift at prop, before returning early to play the match out on the injured Capewell’s edge. Worked hard for 31 tackles and 115 metres but a crucial miss on Daniel Saifiti for the match-winning try was disappointing. 5
11 JACKSON FORD: Reeled off a game-high 54 tackles but gave away three penalties with it, while made 12 runs for 79 metres. Can’t fault the effort and industriousness, including a desperate chase to the Knights’ in-goal that was only inches from netting a second-half try. 5
12 KURT CAPEWELL: Lasted only 26 minutes, by which stage he had racked up 15 tackles and run the ball once. 3
13 TOHU HARRIS: Courageously continues to put his well-worn carcass through the wringer, even if he does appear less than 100 percent. Played 65 minutes and churned through 19 runs for 131 metres on top of 37 tackles, while produced a superb try assist via his ball-palying subtlety. On the debit side, had an error, a penalty and a ruck infringement. 6.5
Match Highlights
The Knights have handed the Warriors their third-straight loss, digging deep in defence to come away with a 14-8 victory. pic.twitter.com/111f3QynqD
— NRL (@NRL) May 5, 2024
14 DYLAN WALKER: Ran a great line to spear through under the posts for the Warriors’ only try and was constantly in the game in his 53 minutes on the park, making 115 metres from a game-high 21 carries and chalking up 28 tackles. Only his second game back from injury and one of the team’s better performers for the second straight game. 6.5
15 TOM ALE: Given just 16 minutes of game-time despite the strain Capewell’s injury put on the middle rotation, so it was hard for him to do much more than make three runs for 32 metres and 13 tackles. Showed good urgency on the kick-chase to toe the ball through and almost create a try for Ford. 5
17 BUNTY AFOA: Early return from injury and spent 27 minutes on the field, getting through plenty of work with 10 runs for 83 metres along with 16 tackles. A penalty and an inside-the-10 six again. 5.5
18 ADAM POMPEY: Not used.
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