TWL RD 9: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
Boy oh boy, did Magic Round weekend give the TWL team a beating…but what a blast.
And what a win from the Warriors, combining a blazing 28-12 first half with a gutsy rearguard defensive effort when it seemed inevitable the Cowboys would run them down.
The 30-26 result takes them to 6-2 and retains a share of second spot – another key step in their progression as the overachievers keep finding new ways to win.
You probably took in more of this game from an analytical point of view than I did, but a few of you have been politely asking – so here’s your belated Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings.
Thanks to everyone we came across in Brisbane that made a fucken awesome weekend that bit more special – you’ll get your props when recouping duo Will and Brad crawl out of their shells and get back on the pod buzz.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Typically steady in tough conditions – albeit with a couple of errors – while it’s easy to take 20 runs for 180 metres for granted from the workhorse. His presence was crucial at the back during that agonising final quarter. 7
2 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Saved a try early by knocking down a Cowboys pass and made a 50-metre run from his own line with five minutes to go, but overall had his toughest outing as a winger. The lowlight was failing to clean up a grubber and gifting a try to Jeremiah Nanai that brought the Cowboys to within four points. 5
3 ROCCO BERRY: Exited with the Warriors leading 30-12, by which stage he’d made just four runs for 39 metres and made 12 tackles without a miss. 5
5 ADAM POMPEY: Reverted to centre with Ali Leiataua pulling out and produced a huge play just before halftime, snagging an intercept and racing 50 metres – representing a sizeable chunk of his 127 metres from 10 runs. 6.5
23 ED KOSI: Got the late call-up and provided a good finish for his first-half try. Caught out somewhat by a smart kick in behind him for Robert Derby to score, but otherwise sound and topped 100 metres from 12 carries. 6.5
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Put Kosi and Metcalf over out wide either side of chasing up his own grubber to score. Quiet on the ball-running front but shouldering as much – if not more – of the playmaking and kicking load as his halves partner, and massive in defence with 27 tackles (no misses). 8
7 LUKE METCALF: Exploded in the first half, putting Kurt Capewell through a hole and backing up to score the Warriors’ first; playing a lovely hand in Kosi’s try; making a sizzling long break, then getting to the other side of the field a couple of plays later and hitting a hole to score out wide. Not much impact with the ball in the second half with the Warriors under the pump, but produced a sensational, potentially game-saving cover tackle. Kicked well, made 162 metres and seven tackle-breaks, and is finding a good balance with CHT. Couple of errors and penalties conceded, but by far his best yet. 8.5
8 MARATA NIUKORE: Starting at prop for the second week in a row, the veteran played 50 minutes across two stints, chalking up eight runs for 81 metres and 22 tackles. Solid enough. 6
9 WAYDE EGAN: Did all the little things we expect – along with a 43-tackle contribution – without any major highlights. Got an early mark with eight minutes left. 7
10 MITCH BARNETT: Big captain’s knock again, holding down the middle with 13 runs for 134 metres and a game-high 46 tackles in 57 minutes. What a bloke. 7.5
11 KURT CAPEWELL: Put through a hole by Metcalf and gave the return pass for the first try. Did yet another extended stint in the centres during the second half and hard to fault him. Seven runs for 61 metres isn’t overly impressive and 10 missed tackles is a glaring stat, but made 29 stops and always puts in. Plus a nice young fella at the Lord Alfred told me on Saturday that he likes the player ratings but that I’m harsh on Capewell…so in my fragile state I’m going to bump him up half a point. 7
12 LEKA HALASIMA: I loved this more than his highlight-laden, destructive performances to date. Played the full 80 minutes and seemed to be everywhere, displaying a tremendous motor with 13 runs for 145 metres and 35 tackles. Incredible for 19 years old and simply cannot be held back on the bench anymore. 8
13 ERIN CLARK: Just keeps getting better. Huge 69-minute shift entailing a season-high 204 metres from 23 runs, and 38 tackles without a miss. Warming to the ball-playing task in the middle, too. Elite. 8
15 JACKSON FORD: Perhaps not as eye-catching as some performances this year, but 34 tackles and nine runs for 67 metres in 44 minutes is not bad at all. 6.5
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Rolled his sleeves up for 23 tackles and seven runs for 55 metres in 34 minutes. 6
17 BUNTY AFOA: Just the 11 minutes for the big fella, making only one hit-up but reeling off 17 tackles. 5
20 SAM HEALEY: Called up late for an NRL debut and packed plenty into 14 minutes, including a double kick-and-chase effort that very nearly produced a remarkable try. Twelve tackles. Looks the goods. 5.5
The post TWL RD 9: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS appeared first on This Warriors Life.