The Warriors conceded more than 20 points for the first time in 2018 in Round 6 – going down 27-18 to Brisbane – but the 92 points scored against them in the first six weeks is still good for the fifth-best defensive record in the NRL.
It also ranks as the club’s second-best effort in Warriors history (the 1996 combination conceded only 86 points in their first six games). The Warriors leaked at least 119 points in the first six rounds in each of their previous 10 campaigns.
The Warriors are ranked second behind St George Illawarra for points scored with 142 at 23.67 per game.
The 2018 squad’s 5-1 record is the equal-best in club history after six outings, matching the 2003 Warriors, who lost their first game before going on a five-game winning streak.
Despite a forgettable outing otherwise, rangy winger David Fusitu’a crossed again to maintained a two-try lead at the top of the NRL’s tryscoring table with eight in just six games. The Dragons’ Matt Dufty is outright second with six tries.
2018 NRL try-scorers: David Fusitu'a still leads after round six, but Matt Dufty closes the gaphttps://t.co/sq9wLeh8As #NRL pic.twitter.com/pnIHQMJaHJ
— Sporting News Australia (@sportingnewsau) April 16, 2018
Fusitua’s career tally is now at 40 in 63 games at an impressive strike-rate of 0.63 tries per game – and just one try behind 10th-placed Konrad Hurrell in Warriors history.
Fusitu’a has made more errors than any other Warriors player this season with 8 (equal-16th in the NRL).
Shaun Johnson scored a try and three goals to take his season tally to 40 points. The halfback’s late four-pointer was the 60th of his career, seeing him join Francis Meli as the equal-fourth top tryscorer in Warriors history. He is zeroing in on third-ranked Simon Mannering (63).
Johnson also joined Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on a team-high five try-assists for the season – equal-10th in the NRL – and is the Warriors’ top tackle-breaker with 20 (equal-18th in the competition despite missing a game with injury.
Fusitu’a, Johnson, Tuivasa-Sheck and Solomone Kata are tied for most line-breaks for the Warriors this season with four each.
Warriors ran for 300 fewer metres while giving up 1548 to the Broncos.
No surprises Shaun Johnson didn't have an impact on this one.
It was going to happen eventually, but hopefully these games aren't as reguar as they have been in previous years.#NRLWarriorsBroncos
— Jason Oliver (@JasonNRL) April 14, 2018
Tuivasa-Sheck and Ken Maumalo ran for a team-high 121 metres apiece against the Broncos. Maumalo is ranked seventh in the league for total run metres (884), while Tuivasa-Sheck is equal-15th (767).
Tohu Harris topped the Warriors’ tackle-count with 36, with Jazz Tevaga (34), Issac Luke (32) and Simon Mannering not far behind. Harris and Luke are the Warriors’ equal-top tacklers after six rounds (equal-26th in the NRL) with 166. Tevaga boasts the best average with 31.8 per game in four outings.
Harris has made just one error in six games.
The Warriors boast three players in the NRL’s top 15 for offloads: Luke (14), Peta Hiku and Tuivasa-Sheck (both 13). Collectively the team is ranked first in the NRL for offloads.
Hiku is ranked second among centres for running metres (746) behind Esan Marsters and Luke is ranked second among hookers behind Damien Cook in the same category (527).
On the downside, Hiku is the Warriors’ worst offender and equal-fourth in the NRL in the missed tackles category, dropping off 23 in the opening six rounds – the only outside-back in the top 10.
The Broncos have made their intentions clear on attack:
Run at Peta Hiku.
He’s missed four tackles already.#NRLWarriorsBroncos – https://t.co/nt5dp5H2Ej pic.twitter.com/nm9xqCH46A
— League Live (@RLeagueLive) April 14, 2018
THE PUNT
The following selections paid out after the Warriors’ 27-18 loss to Brisbane (via NZ TAB)
-Brisbane win @ $2.45
-Brisbane +5.5 @ $1.87
-Over 35.5 Points @ $1.87
-Brisbane 1-12 @ $3.10
-Warriors first Tryscorer – David Fusitu’a @ $5
David Fusitu'a is the NRL's leading try scorer and he's also the man we're focusing today's Footy Feature around – we're paying $5.00 if The Fus is the Warriors' first try scorer!
Get on it here: https://t.co/skW4nb65N0 pic.twitter.com/aHLGCKiHmX
— TAB Sport (@TAB_Sport) April 14, 2018
There you have it! The Footy Feature comes in as Fus dots down on the right wing. What a response #NRLWarriorsBroncos pic.twitter.com/WzBASYq9E5
— TAB Sport (@TAB_Sport) April 14, 2018
Attention Canberra Shaun Johnson! Attention Canberra Shaun Johnson! Your team is down 27-14 and require your services. Thank you #NRLWarriorsBroncos
— TAB Sport (@TAB_Sport) April 14, 2018
5-1 #NRLWarriorsBroncos pic.twitter.com/lt8gSlbk3r
— TAB Sport (@TAB_Sport) April 14, 2018
Categories: Team News + Stats
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