Where does that win rank for you, Warriors fans? It’s right up there for us – but man for man it certainly wasn’t the best 80-minute effort they’re capable of. Here’s how we rated them out of 10.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c): Another virtuoso performance that should have him leading the Dally Ms. An amazing try-saver in each half, an early try-assist and a team-high 163 metres. Brilliant. 8.5
Here's another look at Roger Tuivasa-Sheck muscling up in defence to make a try-saving tackle pic.twitter.com/pQOI4jO2mD
— telegraph_sport (@telegraph_sport) March 24, 2018
2 DAVID FUSITU’A: After doubles in the opening two rounds, play didn’t really go his way. An intercepted offload and a failure to grasp a tough tryscoring chance in the second half also blighted an afternoon that saw him outplayed by Nick Cotric. 5.5
3 PETA HIKU: Scored a try and caused Jarrod Croker problems all day, finishing with an impressive 119 running metres. The odd defensive miss is still plaguing his game though. 7
4 SOLOMONE KATA: A solid outing without standing out, racking up 80 metres on eight carries and doing a decent job on an in-form Joey Leilua. 6.5
5 KEN MAUMALO: We were terrified about his match-up with Jordan Rapana, but Maumalo made a stack of tough metres (143 in total) and was good defensively. Still a back-rower playing on the wing but a confidence-boosting day out. 7
6 BLAKE GREEN: Super-busy and took control, kicking very well throughout. He has been such a great addition. 7.5
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Had a hand in two tries, defended well on the try-line and then iced a remarkable win with two superb field goals. But his clutch efforts masked a slightly disappointing outing, shelving his running game after a sizzling opening fortnight and coming up with a few dud kicks. But so clutch. 7
WOW!@Shaun_Johnson90 has nailed another one and the Warriors are in front.#TelstraPremiership#NRLRaidersWarriors#NRL pic.twitter.com/l2n6bw84I2
— NRL (@NRL) March 24, 2018
8 JAMES GAVET: Another strong showing from the Warriors’ pack anchor, tallying 24 tackles and 102 metres into the teeth of the giant Canberra pack. 7
9 ISSAC LUKE: It was a brilliant performance before his pivotal try, carving the Raiders up from dummy-half and lifting the Warriors with his enthusiasm on both sides of the ball. Came up with some crucial cover defence. 8
10 ADAM BLAIR: Got sin-binned – somewhat unluckily – for a grubby late hit and finished with 21 tackles and a pathetic three hit-ups. So far off from being good enough that it made his Wests Tigers form look good. 4.5
One of the most glorious sights in rugby league is Adam Blair in full flight, on his way to the bin
— Fire Up (@FireUpOnFBI) March 24, 2018
11 LEIVAHA PULU: Looked at home out on that left edge, doing plenty of work on both sides of the both. Great signing so far. 7
12 TOHU HARRIS: The NRL’s buy-of-the-season race is currently a two-horse affair between Green and this guy. Counts of 24 tackles and 85 metres only tell part of the story of the quality of his work, while his vital try underlined the X-factor he brings to the Warriors’ right side. 8
15 AGNATIUS PAASI: Weirdly promoted to the starting side for his first outing of the year and was anonymous, racking up 14 tackles and three runs – none of which we can recall. 5
13 LIGI SAO: The demotion to the bench seemed to work wonders. Sao produced an excellent offload to spark Harris’ try and provided several good charges thereafter as the Warriors came charging home. 6.5
14 JAZZ TEVAGA: Defied the sceptics (TWL included) with an outstanding performance off the bench. A constant ball of energy, Tevaga made 32 tackles and 113 metres in an effort that demanded first-grade retention. 8
16 SAM LISONE: Provided great go-forward when it was needed, tallying 97 metres from eight runs. Fine contribution. 7
17 BUNTY AFOA: Continued his industrious start to 2018 by again being one of the Warriors’ best. Topped the tackle count with 33 and led the team’s forwards with 136 running metres. Afoa is maturing a rapid rate. 8
Bottle these highlights. Courage plus from the boys.#NRLRaidersWarriors #ThreeStraight #LetsGoneWarriors@PhotosportNZ
[Watch this again and again] https://t.co/4TYPFBIaaJ pic.twitter.com/urDgdohJzd
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) March 24, 2018
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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