There were a few stars that shone brighter than the rest in a comprehensive team performance as the Warriors trounced the Panthers 36-16.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c): Quiet by RTS’s recent stratospheric standards, but still finished with 14 runs for 149 metres. Deserved to coast for a night. 7
2 DAVID FUSITU’A: A sizzling hat-trick took ‘Fus’ back to the top of the NRL’s tryscoring leaderboard with 21 – just two short of Francis Meli’s club record. Otherwise excellent under the high ball and ran for 135 metres. Hitting top form at the right time. 8.5
Francis Meli
David Fusitu'a
Manu VatuveiPlayers to score 20+ tries in a season for the Warriors.
🖤#NRLWarriorsPanthers pic.twitter.com/ZfOMMMo7cB
— bet365_aus (@bet365_aus) August 24, 2018
17 PETA HIKU: Again worked over big-time in defence by Bill Kikau, but his silky passing skills and strong running add another dimension to the Warriors’ right side. An excruciating selection call come up for Kearney with Beale far steadier but less dynamic. 7.5
4 SOLOMONE KATA: Play went overwhelming down the Warriors’ other side but Kata still managed to chalk up 11 carries and score a barnstorming try. Solid. 7
5 KEN MAUMALO: Probably his least penetrative performance of the season, finishing with 93 metres on 13 carries. Was a little down last week, too, and the Warriors will be looking for him to find his best again by the time the finals roll around. 6
6 MASON LINO: Much better than the last time he slotted in for Green, taking far more playmaking and kicking responsibility off Johnson’s shoulders. A spirited running game was rewarded with a fine solo try. 7
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: At his blistering best with the ball in hand, running for 111 metres – including a brilliant line-break to set up Fusitu’a’s third – while he had a key hand in three other tries, made six tackle-busts and reeled off 20 tackles. Great signs. 9
Shaun Johnson is hitting his staps & his form is ON 🔥🔥🔥heading into the playoffs. Mr Superstar bruh
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 HES BAAAAACK hahaaa— 🤴🏽 (@BOWLYRC) August 24, 2018
8 JAMES GAVET: Took up the challenge of matching Penrith’s big middle men and came out on top. Made 22 tackles and 93 metres in a tough, hard-working display. 7.5
9 ISSAC LUKE: Probed regularly out of dummy-half – running for a total of 77 metres – and toiled for 29 tackles in a fine all-round hooker’s performance. 7.5
10 AGNATIUS PAASI: Audacious dummy to plunge over for the first try, his third of the season. Eight runs and 15 tackles isn’t an overly industrious return but his work was quality. 7
15 TOHU HARRIS: Wow, talk about picking up from where you left off. Tohu was the Warriors’ everywhere-man, cleaning up in defence, leading the forwards with 14 runs for 127 metres and regularly chiming into backline movements. A definite trump card. 8.5
Votes in the ABC Rugby League Player of the Year in from Tony Kemp in the Warriors 36-16 win against Penrith..
3.. Shaun Johnson @NZWarriors
2.. Tohu Harris @NZWarriors
1.. Nathan Cleary @PenrithPanthers— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) August 24, 2018
12 ADAM BLAIR: Pretty much a non-factor with the ball in hand (two runs for 10 metres) as the Warriors favoured their right side but churned through 30 tackles. 6
13 SIMON MANNERING: Prominent in attack early and popped an offload for Lino to score, before digging in for a big defensive stand with a team-high 37 tackles. Tremendous that the team could seal their finals spot so the attention can be squarely on the retiring 300-game champion next week. 7.5
The hole Simon Mannering will leave in rugby league… #player #NRLWarriorsPanthers
— Paul Stevens (@paul_stevens1) August 24, 2018
11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: A mainstay during Harris’ absence, the teenager played only a bit-part role off the bench – one run and five tackles – though he did throw the last pass for Kata’s try. 5
14 JAZZ TEVAGA: Not as prominent as in recent weeks, but still matched Mannering with 37 tackles and carted the ball up 11 times for 75 metres. 7
16 BUNTY AFOA: Came on and rolled up his sleeves for 18 tackles and five carries. Nothing special but did his job. 6
18 LEIVAHA PULU: Limited time but was solid enough with some nice touches on attack and eight tackles. 6
Well done boys! Finals footy here we come! #WarriorNation #NRLWarriorsPanthers
— Christian Catley (@ChristianRocks2) August 24, 2018
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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