Marks out of 10 for a hardy Warriors team effort in a 20-16 dogfight against the Raiders.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c): A couple of shaky moments at the back but ran powerfully for 138 metres and laid on a try for Kata in yet another quality performance. 7.5
2 DAVID FUSITU’A: Some strong charges out of danger, expert finish for a first-half try and a few good defensive reads. The club’s tryscoring record is just one four-pointer away. 7.5
3 PETA HIKU: Set up one try with a magical flick ball, scored one himself and was busy with the ball throughout. Defence is still iffy, but his attack is a couple of steps quicker and a notch or two slicker than Beale’s. Worth the finals gamble. 8
'One of the best passes I’ve ever seen' – Mark Gasnier can't believe this try-assist from Peta Hiku:https://t.co/2Ro6WQ9vJw by @JoeMcDonough7 pic.twitter.com/fzWqVC4jGk
— FOX LEAGUE (@FOXNRL) August 31, 2018
4 SOLOMONE KATA: His work with the ball wasn’t all that plentiful but he made a big difference, scoring their first try and making 96 metres on seven runs. 7
5 KEN MAUMALO: Hmmm. Twelve runs for 119 metres looks OK, but Big Ken has gone off the boil a bit in the past three games. Shocking pass to Fusitu’a put his side under the pump. 5.5
6 MASON LINO: Straightened the attack beautifully on several occasions, most notably in the lead-up to Hiku’s try. Took the pressure off Johnson in all attacking facets and won’t let anyone down if required during the finals. 7
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Nowhere near the highlights-stacked effort against the Panthers, but the conditions and the Raiders’ pressure contributed to that. Had a key hand in two tries with sweet passes to Hiku and his kicking game was generally on point. 7
16 BUNTY AFOA: Stepped back into the starting line-up breach and was solid enough, making 22 tackles and 84 metres. 6.5
9 ISSAC LUKE: Troubled the Raiders with his running game, kicked well and defended stoutly. The difference when he is off the field is palpable. 7.5
10 AGNATIUS PAASI: An absolute beast, running for a team-high 155 metres and racking up 28 tackles. More of that over the next (hopefully) four weeks please. 8.5
Warriors vs Canberra – ABC Rugby League Player of the Year Points (Tony Kemp):
3 – Agnatius Paasi – Warriors
2 – Jordan Rapana – Canberra
1 – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) August 31, 2018
11 ADAM BLAIR: Could have run the ball more, but was a workhorse in defence and turned up in the extra effort areas without fail. 7
12 TOHU HARRIS: Topped the tackle count with 31 and ran the ball more times than any other Warrior (15), finishing with 141 metres. A marvel and so important to the Warriors’ finals campaign. 8
13 SIMON MANNERING: Disappointing to see the great man’s big night cut short, but his half-game-and-a-bit effort of 18 tackles and 57 metres was very good. Finger’s crossed that sternum is good to go next week. 6
Great tribute to Simon Mannering #Mannering300 @NZWarriors . Respect. pic.twitter.com/9gU65dMqhg
— Astroboy (@AstroboyNZ) August 31, 2018
14 JAZZ TEVAGA: Certainly can’t complain about his workrate (29 tackles and 115 metres) but blew a tryscoring chance by ignoring an overlap and made a terrible error at the back of the scrum. Valuable middle forward but again proved he is a subpar dummy-half fill-in. 6.5
15 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Solid performance off the pine with 11 tackles and five carries. A shame that he’s not getting more minutes with Harris back – his impact is a bit limited as an interchange player. 6
18 LEIVAHA PULU: Added real punch when he came on, contributing 12 tackles and 50 metres to stake a claim for a spot in the full-strength finals 17. 6.5
20 CHRIS SATAE: Great to see the big tyro back – not sure why he was dropped in the first place to be honest. Toiled for 18 tackles and carted it up for 54 metres in a display that will have provided Stephen Kearney with a bit of food for thought. 6.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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